Branchiosaur

/bræŋkioʊˈsɔr/ noun

Definition

A member of an extinct group of early amphibians that retained fish-like gills into adulthood.

Etymology

From Greek 'branchia' (gill) + 'sauros' (lizard/reptile). Paleontologists created this term for amphibian-like creatures that never fully completed the transition to lungs.

Kelly Says

Branchosaurs are like nature's unfinished experiments—they evolved legs and left water but kept their gills, living as awkward in-betweeners for millions of years before going extinct.

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