Skin that breathes too
In amphibians, skin does more than cover the body.
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Amphibians’ bare, permeable skin takes part in breathing. Aquário Vasco da Gama explains that respiratory exchange may also involve gills and lungs, depending on life stage. This permeability helps explain their sensitivity to environmental change. It is general biology for getting to know the frogs, salamanders and newts in this collection.
Their body temperature follows environmental conditions: they are ectothermic animals. This is different from skin permeability, although both help explain their relationship with where they live. Protecting water alone is not enough either: many species use terrestrial habitats at other life stages.
From body to environment
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Growing up isn't breeding yet
Before the salamander, a life in the water →Skin changes appearance
A triton between water and earth →The river and the shore are part of history
The river also has a forest →
Source and context
Vasco da Gama Aquarium — Thematic Sheets: Amphibians, 2th cycle, pp. 1–2
Accessed: . Editorial summary; the date of consultation is not the date of the facts.