Amphibians have several key adaptations that allow them to live both on land and in water, including a cloaca for waste excretion, a nictitating membrane inside the eyelid to protect the eye, and a tympanic membrane or eardrum for hearing. Early amphibians evolved stronger bones and limbs, lungs and breathing tubes, and a sternum or breastbone to support movement and breathing on land. The three modern groups of amphibians are salamanders, frogs and toads, and caecilians.