Ambystomatid Salamanders Research Articles

Post-Breeding Migration and Summer Movement of Ambystoma maculatum

Non-random migration by post-breeding ambystomatid salamanders indicates probable preference for a particular route or corridor of movement (Shoop, 1965; Shoop and Doty, 1972; Douglas and Monroe, 1981). We found that members of an Ambystoma maculatum population in northern Michigan migrated from a breeding pond in a distinct bimodal pattern in 1977 and 1978 suggesting similar corridor preference. Included in this report are data on home range and daily movement of A. maculatum following post-breeding migration. The 0.12 ha breeding pond is in the Cyrus H. McCormick Experimental Forest, Marquette County, Michigan in mixed northern hardwoods (sugar maple, Acer saccharum; yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis; white pine, Pinus strobus; balsam fir, Abies balsamea). A screenwire drift fence (30 cm high, 0.8 cm mesh) enclosed the pond and pitfall traps (15 cm deep X 15 cm diameter) were located on both sides of the fence at 3-5 m intervals.

Burrowing ability and behavior of salamanders of the genus Ambystoma

The burrowing ability and behavior of five species of fossorial salamanders of the genus Ambystoma were examined in the laboratory. Individual salamanders were subjected to three experimental treatments to test the hypothesis that salamanders do not actively dig their own burrows but alternatively enlarge cracks, crevices, and invertebrate or small mammal burrows for occupancy. One species, A. tigrinum, actively dug burrows under all experimental treatments while A. talpoideum actively dug 50% of the time. The other species (A. opacum, A. annulatum, A. maculatum) burrowed passively by using their snout and body to enlarge holes or cracks provided. Individual salamanders not able to burrow (actively or passively) underground incurred significant water loss (25–39%) and several died after a 24-h test period. Digging ability was not clearly related to snout–vent length, head width, or forelimb diameter. These data suggest that the digging ability of ambystomatid salamanders may be a behavioral adaptation and is not simply related to morphology.

Renal Regulation of Electrolytes in Two Species of Ambystomatid Salamanders

Renal Regulation of Electrolytes in Two Species of Ambystomatid Salamanders

Changes in serum proteins associated with metamorphosis in salamanders of the family ambystomatidae

1. 1. The effect of metamorphosis on the serum proteins of three genera and five species of ambystomatid salamanders was examined by electrophoresis. 2. 2. Four of the five species showed a significant increase in the fastest fraction upon metamorphosis. 3. 3. Three of the five species showed a significant metamorphic increase in the second fastest fraction. 4. 4. Four of the five exhibited a significant metamorphic increase in total protein. 5. 5. The results support earlier hypotheses that a metamorphic increase in the fast components of amphibian blood serum serves to maintain blood volume in the desiccating, terrestrial environment of the transformed organism.

The adaptive significance of paedogenesis in North American species of Ambystoma (Amphibia: Caudata): an hypothesis

Paedogenesis in varying degrees is exhibited by many species of North American salamanders, particularly of the genus Ambystoma. On the basis of a consideration of the ecology of these species, it is proposed that paedogenesis is evolutionarily adaptive and the following hypothesis is presented. In most habitats where ambystomatid salamanders occur, they exhibit the typical amphibian life history, consisting of aquatic larvae and terrestrial adults. However, where unusually harsh conditions, such as severe temperature fluctuations, lack of suitable cover or food, and low humidity, exist on land then the adjacent aquatic habitat is more suitable for salamanders provided it is permanent and provided fish are rare or absent. Under these circumstances paedogenesis will evolve because salamanders which spend their whole lives as larvae in the water have an adaptive advantage over those which metamorphose and become primarily terrestrial. Supporting evidence for the hypothesis is based primarily on patterns of similarity in the ecology of paedogenetic species of Ambystoma. It is suggested that paedogenesis is most commonly reported from the western mountains because this area contains more permanent fish-free ponds than any other area of North America. Exceptions to the hypothesis are discussed and some speculation on the genetic basis of paedogenesis is offered.

Patterns of regional variation in the vertebral column of terrestrial salamanders.

Regional variation in the vertebral column of several species of salamanders (families Ambystomatidae, Salamandridae and Plethodontidae) is analyzed. Measurements of three dimensions, centrum length, prezygapophyseal width, and transverse process length, provide the data. Ontogenetic, interspecific, intergeneric and interfamilial patterns of positional variation are diagrammed and discussed. Distinctive patterns of variation characterize the families, genera, and to a lesser extent, the species. The patterns of ambystomatid salamanders are the most generalized, and probably reflect derivation from a primitive ancestral stock. The most specialized conditions occur in the fully terrestrial plethodontids, a group generally considered to be highly derived. Data such as those presented here will aid in the identification of fossils. The patterns described have functional significance. For example, species which have an aquatic larval stage and which return to aquatic breeding sites have vertebrae which taper in length and width behind the pelvis. This is a feature associated with production of a traveling wave in the tail which is necessary for propulsion in water. Fully terrestrial species do not have a tapering column. In them, standing waves, such as occur in the trunk region of all species, typically occur in the tail. The caudal vertebrae of terrestrial species are rather uniform in dimensions for some distance, and the tail is cylindrical in form. Other functionally important features include the narrowing and shortening of some anterior vertebrae, associated with the development of a neck in some species with tongue feeding mechanisms. In contrast, species which use their heads as wedges during locomotion have broadened anterior vertebrae which serve as sites of origin for hypertrophied neck muscles.

Cutaneous and Pulmonary Gas Exchange in Ambystomatid Salamanders

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A new Ambystomatid salamander from the Plateau Region of Mexico

A new Ambystomatid salamander from the Plateau Region of Mexico