Abstract
AbstractPale yellow Arizona tiger salamander larvae (Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum Hal‐lowell) were collected from a turbid pond, and dark green larvae were collected from a clear pond. Light‐colored larvae metamorphosed into salamanders with predominantly yellow skin, while dark‐colored larvae metamorphosed into black individuals with few yellow markings. Skin of light‐colored salamanders had abundant yellow xanthophores and silver‐reflecting iridophores. Skin of dark‐colored salamanders was covered with fully expanded melanophores. Concentration of yellow pteridine and blue‐green reflecting purine pigments, extracted from skin of light and dark‐colored salamanders, was compared fluorometrically and spectrophotometrically. There was no difference in total pteridine content between light and dark‐colored salamanders. However, the average concentration of the pteridine xanthopterin was greater in dark rather than light‐colored larvae. In addition there was four times more guanine in skin of light‐colored larvae than in dark‐colored larvae, which indicates salamanders increased iridophore deposits of guanine in the turbid pond.
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