Salamanders
The' urodeles are commonly known as newts
(mostly aquatic) and salamanders (mainly
terrestrial). However, usage of these common
names varies around the-world. leading. to
potential confusion, and encompasses
salamanders with names such as congo-eels,
elms. axolotls and mudpuppies. They are mostly
speedy swimmers and voracious hunters of varied
small prey, from worms, grubs and insect larvae to
fish arid the tadpoles (larvae) of fellow amphibians .
. Although many invertebrates have the ability to
regrow body structures, urodeles are the only
examples of vertebrates that can completely
regenerate limbs as adults. The fossil history of
thesatarnander can be traced back to forms such
as. Karaurus from the Late Jurassic Period in
Kazakhstan, Central' Asia. Their design has
changed little in almost 150 million years, with a
long body and tail, and legs that project almost
sideways. This specimen is dated to the Middle' .
Miocene Epoch, about10 million years ago.