現在約8,000種が生息するカエル、サンショウウオ、アシナシイモリなどの両生類は、裸出し湿潤した体表、幼生時代があること、淡水域と陸への適応が特徴です。その進化や適応をはじめ、3億7000万年前の四肢動物の出現から水を透過させる皮膚と生息環境の関係性といった生態、とりわけ複雑な求愛行動と、卵と幼生の成長過程に注目して概説します。食料や民間薬、ペット、種々の学術研究にも利用され、世界の両生類種の約半数が絶滅の危機に晒されています。生物多様性の保全は人の手にかかっていると指摘します。
  

• Explores the extraordinary diversity of amphibians, from the history of early tetrapods to the 8,000 species of amphibians alive today
• Discusses the evolutionary history of amphibians, and the adaptations which have equipped them to occupy their interphase habitat between freshwater and land
• Analyses the fascinating courtship and parental behaviour of various species
• Contemplates the threats to amphibians which humans pose, and their possible risk of extinction

  
From frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders, to the lesser-known caecilians, there are over 8,000 species of amphibians alive today. Characterised by their moist, naked skin and the tadpole phase of their lives, they are uniquely adapted to occupy the interphase habitat between freshwater and land.
   
This Very Short Introduction explores amphibians' evolution, adaptations, and biology, from the first emergence of tetrapods onto land 370 million years ago, to how their permeable skin enables them to thrive in their habitat today. T. S. Kemp describes how different amphibians go about their lives, looking in particular at their complex courtship behaviour and their extraordinary means of providing care for their eggs and larvae. Finally, he considers amphibians' relationship to humans, and the ways in which they have been exploited as food, folk medicine, and pets, as well as used in many areas of scientific research. Today amphibians face a serious threat, with almost half of species judged to be at risk of extinction. As the causes include habitat destruction, pollution, and disease, mostly resulting from human activity, T. S. Kemp shows that the conservation of amphibians is very much in our hands.