What type of reproduction is commonly found among amphibians?

Amphibians typically exhibit external fertilization, which is the process where the female lays eggs in the water and the male fertilizes them outside of her body. This reproductive strategy is advantageous for amphibians, as it often occurs in aquatic environments, where the eggs can be protected and can develop in a moist setting. The external fertilization process allows for the production of a large number of eggs, increasing the chances of offspring survival despite predation and environmental challenges.

In contrast, internal fertilization, which is common in many reptiles and mammals, involves the fertilization of eggs inside the female's body. Oviparity refers to laying eggs, and while amphibians do lay eggs, the specific mention of external fertilization differentiates it from merely being oviparous. Viviparity is a mode of reproduction where the young develop inside the body and are born live, which is not typical for amphibians. Thus, the prominence of external fertilization in amphibian reproduction highlights their dependency on aquatic environments for the reproductive process.