Salamanders Are Amphibians with Very Interesting Mating Rituals

Salamanders are amphibians with very interesting mating rituals. The males perform species-specific dances that attract females to mate. Male salamanders deposit spermatophores (mucous packets filled with sperm) on leaves, twigs, or the ground and guide females over them so females can take them up into their cloaca. Mating dances like this result in internal fertilization in many salamander species. Which of the following statements BEST explains why salamanders are not entirely terrestrial in spite of exhibiting internal fertilization in many species?

A) Salamanders require water for gas exchange.
B) Salamanders simply lay their eggs near the water in which they live.
C) Internal fertilization is the first necessary step towards nondependence of water for reproduction.
D) Salamanders do not produce amniotic eggs; therefore they require water for reproduction because eggs need protection from desiccation.
E) Internal fertilization only occurs in species where reproduction does not require water. Salamanders simply lay their eggs near the water in which they live.