AMBYSTOMA MACULATUM (TIGER SALAMANDER)

Contents hide

1) Classification of Ambystoma Maculatum (Tiger Salamander)

2) Geographical distribution

3) Habit and habitat

4) General Characteristics of Ambystoma Maculatum (Tiger Salamander)

5) Ecological Importance of Ambystoma Maculatum

6) Conservation Status

7) Special features

8) Identification

Classification of Ambystoma Maculatum (Tiger Salamander)

Phylum :- Chordata (Dorsal tubular nerve cord, notochord and gill-slits present.)
Group :- Craniata (Definite head, Cranium with brain present.)
Sub phylum :- Vertebrata (Vertebral column present.)
Division :- Gnathostomata (Jaws and paired appendages present.)
Super Class :- Tetrapoda (Paired limbs, lungs, cornified skin and bony skeleton.)
Class :- Amphibia (Cold blooded. Scaleless glandular skin. Can live in water and land. Two occipital condyles, Heart three chambered)
Order :- Urodela (Scaleless Amphibia having well developed tail, generally with two limbs, with or without external gills and gill-slits in adults.)
Family :- Ambystomoidea (No gills in adult,)
Genus :- Ambystoma
Species :- maculatum

Geographical distribution

Adult Ambystoma is terrestrial, found in North America, Central Mexico and the United States. Upper Cretaceous to Recent.

Habit and habitat

Adults are terrestrial.

General Characteristics of Ambystoma Maculatum (Tiger Salamander)

Commonly known as Tiger salamander or Spotted salamander.
Body is lizard-like, has transverse grooves and measures 18 to 20 cm III SIze. Body divisible into head, trunk and tail.
Spotted salamander (A. maculatum) has round yellow and orange spots over body, while Tiger salamander (A. trigrinum) has more spots extending over belly. Skin poisonous.
Head is depressed with large mouth and contains eyes and a pair of poison glands called paratoids.
External gills and tail fin are absent. Eyelids and lungs present.
Limbs well-developed. Forelimbs and hind limbs contains 4 and 5 digits, respectively.
Prevomers short and devoid of posterior processes, teeth across rear margins of vomers. No teeth on palatine. Vertebrae amphicoelus.
Sexes are separate. Fertilization internal. Fertilized egg develops into an Axolotl larva.

The Ambystoma maculatum, commonly known as the spotted salamander, is a species of mole salamander native to eastern North America. These amphibians are easily recognized by their dark, smooth skin adorned with yellow or orange spots. Spotted salamanders are fossorial, spending much of their time underground, and are primarily active at night or during their breeding seasons.

Ecological Importance of Ambystoma Maculatum

Role in Food Webs:

Spotted salamanders are both predators and prey in their ecosystems. They feed on insects, worms, and small invertebrates, helping control these populations. In turn, they are preyed upon by birds, snakes, and mammals.

Soil Health Contributors:

By burrowing and living underground, they contribute to soil aeration and nutrient cycling, indirectly benefiting plant growth.

Indicator Species:

Amphibians like spotted salamanders are sensitive to environmental changes, making them important indicators of ecosystem health, particularly in wetlands and forested habitats.

Nutrient Transfer:

Their movements between aquatic and terrestrial habitats transfer nutrients and energy, supporting both systems’ productivity.

Conservation Status

Conservation Efforts:

Status:
- The spotted salamander (Ambystoma Maculatum) is listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide range and relatively stable population.
Threats:
- Habitat Loss: Urbanization, deforestation, and wetland drainage reduce suitable habitats for these salamanders.
- Pollution: Agricultural runoff, pesticides, and other pollutants harm salamanders and their breeding habitats.
- Climate Change: Changes in precipitation patterns and temperature can impact their breeding cycles and habitat suitability.
Conservation Efforts:
- Habitat Protection: Protecting forested areas and vernal pools is crucial for maintaining their populations.
- Mitigating Road Mortality: Many conservation programs install amphibian tunnels or temporary barriers to prevent salamanders from being killed during their breeding migrations.
- Reducing Pollution: Efforts to limit agricultural and industrial runoff improve the quality of their aquatic breeding habitats.

Special features

Distinctive Spots:
- Spotted salamanders (Ambystoma Maculatum) are named for their characteristic rows of bright yellow or orange spots running along their dark body, providing a striking visual contrast.
Symbiotic Relationship with Algae:
- Their eggs often form a symbiotic relationship with green algae (Oophila amblystomatis). The algae provide oxygen to the developing embryos, while the embryos supply carbon dioxide to the algae, a rare and fascinating interaction.
Fossorial Lifestyle:
- Spotted salamanders (Ambystoma Maculatum) spend most of their lives underground, emerging mainly for breeding during specific conditions, such as warm, rainy nights.
Long Lifespan:
- These salamanders can live for over 20 years, a notably long lifespan for amphibians.
Breeding Migrations:
- During early spring, spotted salamanders migrate en masse to vernal pools for breeding, a spectacle that is both ecologically significant and visually striking.