Lab III Salamanders
Announcements St. Louis Zoo Field Trip Scheduled for Friday February 26 Transportation will be provided Optional but highly recommended, esp. if you have never been to the zoo
What you need to know FAMILIES of the WORLD GENERA of the UNITED STATES SPECIES of ILLINOIS
Basics Kingdom Anamalia Phylum Chordata Class Amphibia Order Caudata Remember: the ending dae denotes the family level unless otherwise noted, all the following photos were taken from amphibiaweb. please don t get me arrested for copyright infringement.
Cryptobranchidae Giant Salamanders Crypto = hidden Branchion = gills This family contains the largest salamander in the world - Andrias davidianus (up to 1.52 meters) All species are aquatic www.reptilesalonica.com/giant-salamander.html www.fish.state.pa.us/water/amprep/salamander/
Ambystomatidae Mole Salamanders Loosely meaning to cram into mouth Confusing IL species: Ambystoma jeffersonianum Ambystoma laterale* Look for: narrower snout and shorter legs in A. laterale. Also, ranges do not overlap.
Ambystomatidae Ambystoma laterale* Photo from Wikimedia Commons discrete pale blue or bluish white flecks on venter, sides body long and slender toes of adpressed limbs separated or overlap by 1 costal fold 12-13 costal grooves Narrower snout & shorter limbs than A. jeffersonianum
Ambystomatidae Ambystoma platineum* Dark, slender body Scattered blue flecks over head, back, limbs and belly All female species Usually 13 costal grooves, occasionally 14 Note: A. jeffersonianum and A.platineum can only be differentiated by genetic analysis. Thus, you will not be asked to differentiate between the two on an exam
Ambystomatidae Ambystoma maculatum Ambystoma tigrinum Look for: smaller more rounded spots in A. maculatum
Amphiumidae Amphiumas or congo eels Meaning to breathe on both sides Completely aquatic Amphiuma tridactylum Amphiuma means
Dicamptodontidae Pacific Giant Salamanders Meaning: doubly curved teeth 2 genera listed in lab manual, however Rhyacotriton has recently been placed in its own family Largest living terrestrial salamanders Dicamptodon ensatus Dicamptodon tenebrosus
Dicamptodontidae Dicamptodon* smooth skin distinct costal grooves teeth in roof of mouth in transverse row massive head Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Plethodontidae Lungless Salamanders Meaning: full of teeth Confusing IL species: Plethodon cinereus Plethodon dorsalis Look for: orange marks around base of front legs in P. dorsalis
Plethodontidae Aneides* green salamander with lichen-like markings on dark ground color square-tipped toes triangular-shaped head projecting upper jaw teeth Photo by Elliot Stahl
Plethodontidae Batrachoseps* slender body; short limbs 4 toes on both front and hind limbs Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Plethodontidae Hemidactylium scutatum* Photo from Wikimedia Commons 4 toes on hindlimbs scattered spots on white venter constriction around tail base
Plethodontidae Phaeognathus* elongate body; short legs 20-22 costal grooves 14 costal folds between adpressed limbs Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Plethodontidae Pseudotriton* stocky bodied red or purplish dorsum flecked with black spots Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Proteidae Mudpuppies and Olms Meaning?? Necturus = swimming tail Aquatic, external gills Necturus maculosus Proteus anguinus
Salamandridae Newts and true salamanders Meaning?? Interesting and complex life history in our IL species Notophthalmus viridescens Notophthalmus viridescens eft N. viridescens adult
Cyptobranchidae Hynobiidae Sirenidae Cryptobranchoidea Sirenoidea Ambystomatidae Dicamptodontidae Salamandridae Proteidae Salamandroidea Rhyacotritonidae Amphiumidae Plethodontidae
Sirens Sirenidae Meaning: refers to mermaids from Greek mythology Hind legs have been lost External gills S. intermedia photo by JD Wilson S. intermedia photo from www.michigan.gov
Today s Lab Examine the preserved specimens carefully. Use the IL key to help you identify characters useful in identification of native species Remember, preservation in alcohol often alters color BE CAREFUL with the specimens!!!!!
Today s Lab Be sure to familiarize yourself with the scientific names of each species. Only ½ credit will be given on quizzes/exams for using common names Have fun!