Beelzebufo was a true frog. The other animals are temnospondyls, a diverse extinct radiation that should not be pictured as enlarged modern salamanders.
Water leaves several signals in bone
Lateral-line canals occur in Aphaneramma, Benthosuchus and other aquatic forms. Gerrothorax adds a bony branchial apparatus, while Branchiosaurus is known from growth series and rare soft-tissue evidence among its relatives.
Skulls dominate size and diet estimates
Wetlugasaurus and Benthosuchus are much better known from skulls than complete bodies. Total length, tail outline and exact prey therefore remain less secure than teeth and eye position.
Habitats range from lakes to coasts
The cards include freshwater lakes and rivers, floodplains, seasonal terrestrial margins and coastal marine deposits. “Amphibian” does not imply one identical life cycle across two hundred million years.
Frequently asked questions
Were all ancient amphibians close relatives of modern frogs?
No. Beelzebufo was a frog, while the other animals are temnospondyls from extinct tetrapod branches.
Did every temnospondyl need to return to fresh water to breed?
Reproductive biology varies and is poorly preserved. Eggs and larvae are absent for many genera, including coastal Aphaneramma.
How do palaeontologists recognise aquatic life?
Lateral-line canals, gill-supporting bones, limb proportions, dense skeletons and sedimentary setting provide independent evidence.
Why are body-length estimates often approximate?
Skulls are much more complete than trunks and tails, so total length often depends on proportions taken from related animals.
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