The frontosquamosal arch in newts as a defence against predators

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Abstract
The bony frontosquamosal arch, found in most newts, is suggested to function in lessening injury during attack by predators. The arch strengthens the skull, protects the retracted eyes, and correlates with postcranial defensive structures. Newts also have tetrodotoxin in the skin, and this is probably the ultimate factor in the evolutionary development and maintenance of the arch. Cranial strengthening in anurans with poisonous or distasteful skin probably serves a similar function.