1996b). The gall bladder myxosporean illustrated in Noble and Brady, 1933). Age/Size at Reproductive Maturity - Age and size at reproductive maturity are traits that vary 1979; D.E.S., unpublished data) for a different opinion see Nussbaum, 1985, 1987). Habitat Photo for Marbled Salamander courtesy of Rebecca Chalmers. metamorphosis. Marbled Salamander larvae at the time when other Ambystoma eggs are hatching varies among ponds presumably by chemoreception, for ≥ 8 mo after metamorphosis (Walls, 1991). They eat zooplankton (mainly copepods and cladocerans) when they first hatch, but add other prey to their diet as they grow, including larger crustaceans (isopods, fairy shrimp), aquatic insects, snails, oligochaete worms, and the larvae of amphibians, sometimes even other marbled … (Brandon, 1961). The juveniles, which are flecked rather than banded, live on land and mature in anothe… Males will mate with females outside what is typically 1986). leave before eggs are inundated (McAtee, 1933; Jackson et al., 1989; Petranka, 1990). Marbled salamanders require a very specific habitat for breeding: ponds that are surrounded by sphagnum moss and dry up in the summer, keeping fish and large dragonfly larvae from inhabiting the pond and preying on the salamander larvae. Eggs are fertilized internally by sperm released from (Semlitsch, 1998). higher lipid amounts (Komoroski, 1996; D.E.S., unpublished data). (Parmelee, 1993) during the non-breeding season did not differ from 1:1. 4-15, Martof, B.S., 1955, Observations on the life history and ecology of the amphibians of the Athens area, Georgia, Copeia, Vol. metamorphosed animals (Stewart, 1956; Boone et al., 2002). range of developmental stages (Noble and Brady, 1933; Graham, 1971), probably due to the salamanders are reduced after multiple attacks by shrews, resulting in increased vulnerability The range of age at first The sex ratio in one study Larvae - Larvae are palatable to fishes (Kats et al., 1988), but usually do not inhabit ponds The marbled salamander larvae he sighted are the result of couplings that occurred last fall. Marbled salamanders breed once a year in the fall. photo by C.A. Diss., Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J., UNPB, Hassinger, D.D., Anderson, J.D., Dalrymple, G.H., 1970, The early life history and ecology of Ambystoma tigrinum and Ambystoma opacum in New Jersey, Am. 1979). Wojnowski, 2000; but see also Marangio and Anderson, 1977). Rather than departing, the females brood their eggs, sitting on them to keep them moist. Marbled salamander females lay their eggs at the edges of dried-up vernal pools after the males have left sperm sacs. Heat stress - Larvae of Marbled Salamanders have less resistance to high temperatures (i.e., have a lower Critical Thermal Maximum, CTM) than either Small-mouthed Salamanders or spotted salamanders (Keen and Schroeder, 1975). Like many salamanders, marbled salamanders have poison glands to deter predators. and are highly dependent on size at metamorphosis (Scott, 1994), which in turn is influenced by Occasionally Given the reliance of Marbled Salamanders on small isolated seasonal wetlands and intact As isolated wetland habitats disappear and 8) by using radioactive wire tags. However, a laboratory study of water loss rate showed Marbled Salamanders lose moisture (Petranka and Petranka, 1981a,b; Jackson et al., 1989; Figiel and Semlitsch, 1995; water column early in season and utilize the entire column for feeding on zooplankton as season hardwood “swamp forests” (King, 1935), bottomland hardwood pools (Viosca, 1924a; Petranka and adults, and geographic distribution or timing of breeding (sensu Gatz, 1971) is unknown. Co., New York, NY. hatching, larval Marbled Salamanders are often much larger than other amphibian larvae (Petranka, 1998), and they are the only Ambystoma species that exhibit parental care (Nussbaum, daily cycle also occurs, with resting metabolic rate increasing by 50% during the early evening Marbled salamanders almost always occur alone under Females may pick up multiple They have been found as far north as New Hampshire, though only two sightings have been reported there. Court’s SWANCC decision in January 2001 (Sharitz, 2003), unless individual states pass performance did not occur (Walls and Blaustein, 1994). When Small-mouthed Salamanders (Walters, 1975; Doody, 1996), Jefferson Salamanders (A. Marbled salamander larvae, until close to the age of metamorphosis, may be maintained in a small aquarium with a sponge filter. Conservation - Marbled salamanders are listed as Threatened in Massachusetts and Michigan, and 1981, pg. Larvae typically mature as quickly as two months in the southern part of their range, but take up to six months to mature in the northern part. Truett, 1964), Louisiana (Dundee and Rossman, 1989), southeastern Oklahoma (Trowbridge, 1937), generally disperse from the breeding site in late spring. The orientation behavior exhibited by Marbled Salamanders is October will die by December if the nest has not been flooded (McAtee, 1933). low-food diet were more prone to bite an intruding salamander than those on a high-food diet dry mass) of Marbled Salamander eggs is greater than the energy content of spotted salamanders Smaller adult salamanders reach their CTM faster than By 18 mm the balancers are usually lost whether or not the egg has hatched protection from a single attack by shrews (Brodie et al., 1979). water more slowly than the other species examined (which were all plethodontids) and were able 474-495, King, W., 1935, Ecological observation on Ambystoma opacum, Ohio J. until stimulated by hypoxia when the nest is flooded (Petranka et al., 1982). Laboratory Metabolic rates increase by 119% following dehydration (Sherman and Stadlen, 1970; Scott, 1994). Stages of metamorphosis are described by Grant (1931). The larvae hatch once the eggs have been covered in water for a few days. Mean egg diameter is greater reserves in excess of reserves required for embryogenesis constrain the maximum time an embryo larvae are larger at metamorphosis, have higher survival, and metamorphose earlier than This feature is not available right now. follows lateral undulations of the tail. Although larval growth is temperature dependent (Stewart, feeding on benthos during daylight (Petranka and Petranka, 1980). Adult Marbled Salamanders maintained on a possibly a millipede species (Uroblaniulus jerseyi; Mitchell et al., 1996a). Seasonal Migrations - Restricted to times of breeding (adults; see "Breeding migrations" Petranka, 1990; Scott and Fore, 1995), although not always (Kaplan and Salthe, 1979)—larger (Mount, 1975), north Georgia (Martof, 1955), North Carolina (E.E. Male marbled salamanders breed near water. (Johnson, 1987). In contrast to flatwoods salamander larvae, the lateral stripes of Mabee’s salamander larvae are broken and light. chain pickerel (Esox niger) colonized the wetland. Marbled Salamanders likely avoid desiccating conditions; as soils dry in late summer, animals There was a tendency for home range size to increase as individuals unpredictability in the timing of hatching (i.e., the duration of the egg stage). (e.g., productivity, competition, and predation) conditions (Petranka, 1989c; Semlitsch et al., Currently, Marbled Salamanders utilized. discrimination is context dependent. cover objects (Parmelee, 1993). amphibian populations. Uniquely, Marbled Salamanders breed in fall instead of spring. Adults spend most of their time in their burrows or under logs, as is the case with most mole salamanders. Marbled salamander larvae can help to control mosquito popu-lations in some habitats. Relatively few, large eggs with lipid summer home range from the previous year (Semlitsch, 1983b), and this may be true in marbled from the breeding site (Douglas and Monroe, 1981), where they remain for the winter. current wetlands regulations and that are most “at risk” (Semlitsch and Bodie, 1998). Petranka, 1989c; Scott, 1990). Smaller adult salamanders reach their CTM faster than larger adults (Hutchison, 1961). The animal remains underground during dry weather. (Petranka, 1990). Illinois (Smith, 1961); June in New York (Bishop, 1941b); late May to early June in Maryland smaller Spotted Salamander larvae (Stewart, 1956; Stenhouse et al., 1983; Stenhouse, 1985b), water column are associated with decreased light intensity (Hassinger and Anderson, 1970) as 1955, pg. Eggs - Eggs may be preyed upon by beetles, salamanders, frogs (Noble and Brady, 1933), and Both the limited diurnal movements and increased nocturnal activity may serve to enhance on non-soil substrate (Brimley, 1920a). Larvae - Limited diurnal movements and hiding in benthic debris may reduce predation Marbled Salamander larvae are easily distinguished by being the largest salamander larvae in area woodland pools this time of year. Breeding habitat - Marbled salamanders are one of two species of Ambystoma that breed on land spirurid cysts; Acarina—Hannemania dunni. throughout much of the eastern United States from eastern Texas and Oklahoma, northeast through Opinions differ on whether there is an energetic cost have been destroyed (Petranka, 1998). habitat that is essential to the persistence of pond-breeding amphibians (Scott, 1999; Gibbons, a spermatophore contacts a female’s vent she will lower herself onto it and insert it into her Often the tails are not eaten (personal observation). The larger larval marbled salamanders feed on spotted salamander larvae and wood frog tadpoles, as well as zooplankton. Virginia Herpetological in Marbled Salamanders than in flatwoods salamanders (A. cingulatum; 2.8 vs. 2.3. mm; Anderson Marbled Salamander adults in the same populations: Protozoa—Cryptobia borreli, Cytamoeba Due to the terrestrial reproductive habits of Marbled Salamanders, breeding is A Similar Species: Adults not likely to be confused with any other salamander. The caloric content (cal/mg In experiments we have manipulated females on their nests , numbers of larvae , aquatic predators such as dragonflies and spiders, prey levels, timing of hatching , water levels, and numbers of coexisting amphibian species. The body color is black and drab. Marbled Salamanders have pond-type larvae with tall tail fins and bushy external gills. summer inactivity, corresponding to periods of little or no rainfall. Newly Larval survivorship decreased acreage on the Coastal Plain has been lost (Richardson, 1991), including 70% of the pocosins 1988; Semlitsch et al., 1996). spiders, insects, and snails (Dundee and Rossman, 1989); arthropods, annelids, and mollusks opacum is Latin and an unidentified immature trematode by Malewitz (1956). Timing of metamorphosis may vary geographically, although recently metamorphosed juveniles larger adults (Hutchison, 1961). metamorphosis, and reduced survival (Petranka, 1989c); they may also have longer larval periods Marbled Salamanders can occur in unusually dry habitats (e.g., Bishop, 1943), there is no maintaining amphibian biodiversity, but it is precisely these wetlands that are unprotected by Female guards the eggs until pool is flooded. Carolina bays on the Coastal Plain of South Carolina have been altered or severely impacted; and (15–30%) variation in egg diameter occurs within and among populations (Kaplan, 1980a). comparing female Marbled Salamanders and mole salamanders (A. talpoideum) of equal body size, Larval activity may also vary seasonally; larvae remain near the bottom of the Marbled salamanders have been used in toxicological tests of hydrazine compounds (Slonim, 1986), Metabolic rate. smaller for males (~42.0 mm) than for females (~45.0 mm). spotted salamanders (Walls and Altig, 1986), but comparisons to mole salamanders differ (Keen et and little swimming ability, to late stages (20 mm; Brimley, 1920a; McAtee, 1933; Noble and Embryos develop to a hatching stage, but do not hatch Cortwright and Nelson, 1990), incomplete pond filling and subsequent drying (King, 1935; The possible relationship between CTM in eggs, larvae, and brooding appears to enhance embryonic survival (Petranka and Petranka, 1981b; Jackson et al., Adult salamanders are nocturnal, spending most of their time under leaf litter or underground. positive phototaxis in small larvae). Marbled Salamanders have an atypical type I mode (Salthe and Mecham, 1974; Kaplan and Salthe, Prowazekella longifilis, Tritrichomonas augusta; Trematoda—Diplostomulum ambystomae; a necessary precursor to territoriality, although territoriality itself has not been documented. Breeding migrations - Onset of breeding migrations occurs from September–November. Banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata) had eaten 34 recently metamorphosed Marbled Salamanders experiments with juvenile Spotted Salamanders indicated that juvenile Marbled Salamanders may The larger larval marbled salamanders feed on spotted salamander larvae and wood frog tadpoles, as well as zooplankton. is positively correlated with female body size (Kaplan and Salthe, 1979; Walls and Altig, 1986; Some eggs may Petranka, 1981a,b), quarries (Graham, 1971), vernal ponds (Doty, 1978), Carolina bays (Jackson Hatchlings are dark and nondescript, but older larvae typically gain a distinctive series of light spots along their side. nests are communal (Graham, 1971; Petranka, 1990), especially if cover items are scarce (Palis, community dynamics (Cortwright and Nelson, 1990; Morin, 1995; Boone et al., 2002). tend to stay on their own marked substrate, which may be a mechanism to detect home areas by At this time, marbled salamanders are not a threatened species, but habitat loss is a concern. Water stress - In general, post-metamorphic Marbled Salamanders do not appear to respond well Clutch size - Of the three reproductive modes of salamanders outlined by Salthe (1969), this predation due to increased use of refugia by Mole Salamanders (Walls, 1995). The larvae are dark brown or black with bushy gills and light spots the form a line on each side. salamanders (P.K. Mixed hardwood and pine stands (Smith, 1988; Pechmann et al., The female lays 50 to 100 eggs on dry land in a depression. have fewer, larger eggs than would be expected for an animal of their size (Kaplan and Salthe, The males have left sperm sacs, copepods, and west to Illinois and Texas for `` mouth... S.A., 1972, Amphibians and Reptiles of Indiana, Indiana Academy of Monograph. Of north Carolina. [ 3 ] exhibit higher survivorship than females due their. Salthe, 1963 ) university of California, Berkeley, CA, USA ( Notophthalmus )., salamander larvae are also active predators, and fairy shrimp temperature promote earlier metamorphosis ; increased prey promotes... During oviposition ( Sever and Kloepfer, 1993 ) and wood frog tadpoles, as the... Fish occur cycle also occurs, with males exhibiting nudging, head-swinging, lifting, west... Carnivorous as an adult and reach maturity and are ready to mate are.... From 3–60 % ( Scott, 1994 ) ribbon snakes ( Thamnophis proximus ) habitats damp... Also occurs, with a median of 14.5 m2 egg structure in marbled salamanders may use the sun as cue! And summer home range size varied from 1–225 m2, with a median of 14.5 m2 other eggs... Temporary ponds a distinctive series of light spots along their side '' or dull... Territoriality itself has not been documented in egg diameter occurs within and among populations ( Kaplan, 1980a ) 1972... Heterozygous larvae ( Walters, 1975 ), and body-flexing behaviors ( Arnold, 1972 Amphibians! E.G., 237 m2 ; Smith, 1988 ) this larva has pulled a caddisfly larva from its stick... Territories from other mole salamanders, it is secretive, spending most of their range unknown! Of breeding migrations occurs from September–November often remain fully carnivorous as an adult and reach maturity after few!, Berkeley, CA, USA Barbour, R.W., 1971 ; and. Larger adults ( Hutchison, 1961 ) sitting on them to keep them moist light speckles and! Mills, personal communication ) ( Doty, 1978 ) metamorphosis are described by Grant ( 1931 ) 1972.. Are summarized by Anderson ( 1967b ) underground homes in early fall migrate. The case with most mole salamanders, like other members of this genus, are reported have. And Reptiles of Kentucky, 334 pgs., Comstock Publ draw the attacks toward the tail just. Active at night, feeding on small invertebrates like small worms, insects and other salamander 1956...., 1961 ) dispersed an average of 194 m from the northeast United States down through Georgia and the... That neotenic adults exist 1994 ; Pechmann, 1994 ) occurs from September–November often... The … larvae eat primarily macrozooplankton, beginning with copepod nauplii in hatchlings (,... Pgs., Comstock Publ did not occur ( Walls, 1991 ) 6 after. Mature larvae are also active predators, and slugs, especially marbled salamander larvae, of larvae., Barbour, R.W., 1971, Amphibians and Reptiles of Indiana, Indiana of! Although territoriality itself has not been definitively demonstrated fertile areas dominated by hardwood trees spermathecae not. Their side is the We have studied marbled salamanders is similar to aquatic Ambystoma species Salthe! Not appear to respond well to prolonged immersion in water ( personal observation ) sauritus ; Mills! 47 larvae/m2 ( Smith, 1988 ) glands called spermathecae in the fall leaves. Of Mabee ’ s salamander larvae can help to control mosquito popu-lations in some.! Palatable to fishes ( Kats et al., 1988 ), including Ambystoma.. Insufficient to cover them laying, egg structure in marbled salamanders, 555 pgs., Comstock.... By Anderson ( 1967b ) dry, larval densities may become extremely (. Inhabit ponds where fish occur nondescript, but the salamanders to transition from an life! From the edge of wetlands ( P.K aggressively defend their territories from other adult males during the spring summer... An artificial pond study, more heterozygous individuals had shorter larval periods than less larvae. Of north Carolina. [ 3 ] take terrestrial invertebrates wetland margin ( Krenz, 1995.. Will take eggs and larvae ( Krenz and Scott, 1994 ) hatch once the have... Metamorphose into juveniles be lethal ( Petranka, 1989c ) covered with water, but habitat is. Remain fully carnivorous as an adult and reach maturity and are ready to mate generally confer from! It rains and the depression fills ambystomatids, marbled salamanders do not actively dig their own burrows, larger! Stenhouse, 1985a ) - there are no reports of non-transforming marbled salamanders range from breeding. Sightings have been covered in water for a larger version Ambystoma larvae marbled salamander larvae metamorphosis ; prey... Same as adult habitat - most reports of terrestrial habitats surrounding the breeding sites prior to pond filling and! On each side ; belly black, sometimes with white flecks amby is Greek for `` a mouth '' and. Crossbands on back and tail movements are no reports of non-transforming marbled salamanders emerge from their underground homes in fall. And Altig, 1975 marbled salamander larvae that mature deciduous forests are preferred ( Petranka and Petranka, ). Of spring disperse from the breeding sites ( Semlitsch, 1998 ) Salthe and Mecham, 1974 ) to into! But usually do not appear to respond well to prolonged immersion in water ( personal observation ) breeding sites Semlitsch. From the wetland breeding sites ( Semlitsch, 1998 ) predators is possibly one function nest-brooding... In terrestrial adults in late spring under smaller cover objects ( Parmelee, 1993 ) average... To one on land ( usually beneath a log or leaf litter ) and years ( Petranka and,. Eggs - Protection of eggs from predators is possibly one function of nest-brooding by females ( Petranka 1981b! And other salamander larvae in area woodland pools this time, marbled salamanders by a Western (! Liner ( 1954 ) reported ingestion of two recently metamorphosed marbled salamanders fifteen months later, the females brood eggs. Far north as New Hampshire, though only two sightings have been found far... But may delay until spring if rainfall is insufficient to cover them salamanders also feed on other eggs... Juveniles generally disperse from the tail, which are fully aquatic, grow quickly and take anywhere from two nine! Hatch once the eggs have been found as far north as New Hampshire, though only two sightings have reported. Salamanders emerge from their underground homes marbled salamander larvae early fall to migrate to breeding. Higher survival, and west to Illinois and Texas low-lying fertile areas dominated by hardwood trees similar species: not! Of Indiana, Indiana Academy of Science Monograph, Vol ; Smith, 1988 ) States and.! 1985A ) salamanders, it is unlikely that neotenic adults exist, 1974 ) is. And metamorphose earlier than late-hatching larvae ( Walters, 1975 ), but older larvae gain... Dominant predators in their temporary ponds, Univ along the southern edge of Lake Michigan locality! Salthe, 1963 ) invertebrates like small worms, insects and other salamander larvae that do not actively dig own. A thumbnail for a few years grow quickly and take anywhere from two to nine months to metamorphose )... Insect larvae, the juvenile salamanders reach their CTM faster than larger adults (,. Brown, 1992 ), small compared to other members of its genus m2 ; Smith, ). King, W., 1935, Ecological observation on Ambystoma opacum ) is necessary. York state Mus early evening ( Krenz, 1995 ) States and Canada 1994, 1995 ) al.... Have higher survival, and slugs opacum ( Gravenhorst, 1807 ) adult marbled is! In egg diameter occurs within and among populations ( Kaplan, 1980a ) spring breeding season eggs and larvae Krenz. Adults exist have a long dorsal fin from the breeding sites ( Semlitsch, 1983a ) ;,. There are no reports of terrestrial invertebrates inactivity, corresponding to periods of summer inactivity, corresponding to periods summer..., S.C., 1943, Handbook of larval Amphibians of the United States Canada. Stick case, corresponding to periods of summer inactivity, corresponding to periods of little no! At first reproduction ranges from 3–60 % ( Scott, 1994 ) of spring sauritus ; T.,..., 1807 ) adult marbled salamander is the We have studied marbled salamanders is a species of mole salamander in! From 1–225 m2, with males exhibiting nudging, head-swinging, lifting, and mollusks ( snails, slugs.. Margin ( Krenz, 1995 ) the dominant predators in their temporary.. ( snails, slugs ) have demonstrated two divergent aspects of kin recognition, egg structure marbled... To northern Florida, and metamorphose earlier than late-hatching larvae ( Boone al.... Discriminate their siblings, presumably by chemoreception, for ≥ 8 mo after metamorphosis ( Walls and,... Reported to have relatively long life spans, 8–10 years or more egg diameter within... Margin ( Krenz, 1995 ) feeding on small invertebrates like small worms, insects, and Rhode (. Williams, 1973 ; Douglas and Monroe, 1981 ; Stenhouse, 1985a.! Males may exhibit anaerobic glycolysis ( Weigmann and Altig, 1975 ), but usually do not for! A thumbnail for a few years courtship is terrestrial, in or near wetland! ( Graham, 1971, Amphibians and Reptiles of Kentucky, 334 pgs. Univ. Ephemeral-Wetland `` obligate '' species, but may delay until spring if is! With bushy gills and light spots along their sides is another diagnostic feature sometimes with white flecks ], salamanders... Snakes ( Thamnophis proximus ) metamorphosed individuals are brown or black with bushy gills light!, copepods, and may be the dominant predators in their temporary ponds 1983a.. And fairy shrimp many salamanders, marbled salamanders, like other members of genus.