Review of the literature sources for the class Amphibia in the early editions of Linnaeus’s Systema Naturae

The first in-depth assessment of the species of amphibians and reptiles referred to the class Amphibia (amphibians and reptiles) in the first nine editions of Systema Naturae is performed. Although these are not key documents for nomenclature, they contain the origins of the Linnaean classification and enable taxonomists to understand the development of various Linnaean species’ concepts. A short overview is provided of the first nine editions of Systema Naturae with special focus on the class Amphibia, a key for all abbreviations used is given and a complete list of primary and secondary references in these editions is included. Changes in Linnaeus’s view about the species of Amphibia included in these early editions are discussed.