Clarifying the origin and evolution of primitive frog lines (Archaeobatrachia): a molecular approach.

Although the Archaeobatrachia (the primitve frogs) comprise only 4% of all living anuran species, they play a major role in the clarification of the early amphibian evolution. due to the presence of several ancestral characters, this group of frogs was considered the missing link between Caudata (salamanders and newts) and Gymnophiona (caecilians) on one side, and the remaining 96% of frogs (Neobatrachia) on the other.
In reality, the true position of the Archaeobatrachia is still unknown, since previous studies have lead to contradictory results and a consensus was never reached. A profound molecular-phylogenetic anlysis with a strong statistical basis may reresent a breakthrough towards comprehension of the evolution of Archaeobatrachia, and reaching a final evolutionary synthesis for the Amphibia.