Tetrapods
Tetrapoda is a superclass that evolved from bony fishes. It comprises all vertebrates that have or had four limbs. Tetrapods include reptiles, amphibians, mammals (also synapsids and sauropsids). Most of the present-day tetrapods are amniotes, and they inhabit terrestrial environments. Some tetrapods evolved for flight (birds), while some lost all their limbs (snakes) through evolution. Some are fully or partially aquatic and are termed as amphibians.
Amphibians
Amphibians are tetrapods that inhabit terrestrial, freshwater, arboreal and fossorial environments. They are anamniotes that lay their eggs in water. They typically include an aquatic larval phase in which respiration occurs through gills. The adult uses the lungs for respiration. Also, secondary respiration happens through the skin surface. This class comprises frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians.
Also Read: Amphibia
Difference between Tetrapods and Amphibians
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Tetrapods |
Amphibians |
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It is a superclass that includes four-limbed vertebrates. |
It is a class that includes ectothermic tetrapod vertebrates. |
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It comprises reptiles, amphibians, mammals, dinosaurs and birds. |
It comprises frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians. |
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Tetrapods are more in number. |
They are comparatively less in number. |
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They mostly inhabit the terrestrial ecosystem. |
They inhabit terrestrial, freshwater, arboreal and fossorial ecosystems. |
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Most of them are amniotes except amphibians. |
Most of them are anamniotes. |
Also see: Difference between Reptiles and Amphibians
Frequently Asked Questions on Difference between Tetrapods and Amphibians
What are amniotes and anamniotes?
Amniotes are animals whose embryos have a protective membrane called the amnion. It includes reptiles, mammals and birds. They lay eggs on terrain or retain them within their womb. Anamiotes are animals that lay their eggs in water bodies. This includes amphibians and fish.
What are synapsids and sauropsids?
Both are clades that include animals evolved from basal amniotes. The sauropsids comprise dinosaurs, birds and reptiles. Whereas synapsids mostly include mammals and other mammal-like animals.
What are lungfishes?
Lungfishes are freshwater vertebrates that can breathe air. Their ancestors are the bony fishes (Sacropterygii) from which the tetrapods evolved. Moreover, their lungs are homologous to that of tetrapods. Most of them became extinct, and now there are only six known species.
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