Answer to Question #143027 in Zoology for RamC

Question

Name and motivate the most important evolutionary step which distinguishes amphibians from reptiles

Answer 1

The Late Carboniferous Period: Evolution of reptiles

Reptiles evolved from amphimbians in this era. Incresing evolutionary pressure led to the evolutionary changes in amphimbians to gradually become more adapted to land. Development of certain traits distinguished the amphibians from reptiles. those traits include

1. stronger skeletal structure, muscles
2. more protective coating/scales
3. development of hard shelled external eggs replacing amphibians water bound eggs
4. However the main evolutionary step was the evolution of lungs and legs