the temnospondyls are similar or identical to the labyrinthodonts minus the lepospondyls. it is probably an evolutionary grade, not monophyletic. it is convenient to use, because all these early amphibia were so different from present-day amphibia.p169 many in the early permian looked more like reptiles because they were adapted to life in a drier climate. nevertheless, they were amphibians, and many larval stages have been found.