Amphibians are small vertebrates that need water, or a moist environment, to survive. The species in this group include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. All can breathe and absorb water ...

Researchers initially noticed the creatures while studying amphibians at the Gaowangjie ... critters are a new species of "crocodile newt," an amphibian named for their resemblance to crocodiles.

The newts play a role in keeping the lake clear and clean by eating plankton. Without them, algae growth would increase and threaten that clarity. “Amphibians act as canaries in the coal mine ...