Salamanders & Newtsa field journalproperty of Haley Flores

Salamander [Sketch]. Retrieved July 2, 2012, from: http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/newsletter/2001/04/great_lakes_basin_to_get_checkup.html

Salamanders and Newts

Salamanders and Newts are amphibians.

A really simple description is that they have skin like a frog and a body style that is shaped like a lizard.

Adams, F. (Photographer) California Newt, Taricha torosa, [Photograph], Retrieved August 3, 2012, from:http://www.calbassin.com/Smf/index.php?topic=13127.0

Hollingsworth, K. (Photographer) Olympic salamander, [Photograph], Retrieved August 3, 2012, from:http://www.elwhainfo.org/node/305

Basic FactsSalamanders and newts are a group of amphibians with over

500 different species.

Carter, Ed, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency. (2002) Amphibians Around the World. Retrieved July 5, 2012, from: http://www.tn.gov/twra/tamp/amworl.shtmlZoological Society of San Diego, San Diego Zoo. (2012). Amphibians: Salamanders and Newts. Retrieved July 5, 2012, from:http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-salamander.html

Most are not longer than 6 inches, but the Thorius

arboreus is only 1.7 cm long, and the Japanese Giant

Salamander can be 6 feet long!

Lifespan is varied among the different types, some live 3 years, some can live to be

55 years old.

All newts are salamandersbut not all

salamandersare

newts.

Newts are a subcategory of salamanders so they are very

similar. Newts generally have rougher skin, less slimy, and have a flat tail as opposed to

round salamander tails. There are generalities and exceptions to the rules.

Salamanders

Newts

One basic difference that sets Newts apart: Life Cycle

Most salamanders are born and have larval stage in water, and as juveniles and adults stay on land.

Newts start out the same, spend time as a juvenile on land, but return to live in the water as adults.

Eastern Red Spotted Newt [Illustration] Retrieved August 15, 2012, from: http://buffonescience9.wikispaces.com/UNIT+6+-+Ecology+

MacDonald, S. (Editor) Life Cycle of the Northwestern Salamander [Illustration], Retrieved Aug 24, 2012, from: http://aknhp.uaa.alaska.edu/herps/amph_life.htm

Eastern Red Spotted Newt

Habitat

Salamanders and newts always live near or in water. Forest streams, wetlands, and other bodies of water make a nice environment for them. They are found in many areas of the world. Okada, S. (Photographer) no title, [Photograph], Retrieved August 23, 2012, from:

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/PhotoGallery/Asia_Trail/18.cfmSalamanders distribution over the world [Computer generated image], Retrieved Aug 30, 2012, from: http://salamandersinniagara.comoj.com/salmander_distribution.htmZoological Society of San Diego, San Diego Zoo. (2012). Amphibians: Salamanders and Newts. Retrieved July 5, 2012, from:http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-salamander.html

Family

Order

Subclass

Class

Subphylum

Phylum

Kingdom

Domain EUKARYA

Plantae ANIMALIA

numerous

other phyla...

CHORDATA

other subphyl

a…VERTEBRATA

other classes

including mammals,

birds, etc…

AMPHIBIA

other subclasse

s…LISSAMPHIBIA

CAUDATA

SALAMANDRIDAE

Fungi

Archaebacteria

Eubacteria Protista

Here’s the big picture of where Salamanders and Newts fit into the tree of life…. follow the capital lettered words down to Salamandridae, where newts and salamanders fit in…

Others in the Chordate

phylum include: lancets and tunicates,

hagfish, great white shark,

salmon, frogs, lizards,

chickens and HUMANS!

SCIENCE NEWSVol. 1 Issue 1. March 2012

Extra! Extra! 157 Million-year-old Salamander found in China!

The oldest fossil record for a salamandriodea has been unearthed in an ancient lake bed. At 157 million years old, it is much older and more primitive than the previous record holder (114 million years). Still, it looks pretty much the same as modern salamanders. Scientists have stated that salamanders have not evolved or changed very much since then, and must have originated in Asia.This salamander swam in the same waters as water-

dwelling creatures of the Jurassic period!

Ellison, M. (Photographer) A fossilized Beiyanerpeton jianpingensis, a newly discovered 157 million year old salamander species, [Photograph], Retrieved Aug 3, 2012, from: http://www.livescience.com/18991-jurassic-salamander-oldest.html

Welsh, J., Live Science, (March 12, 2012). New jurassic salamander is world’s oldest. Retrieved August 3, 2012, from: http://www.livescience.com/18991-jurassic-salamander-oldest.htmlEaston, J. University of Chicago Medicine, (March 28, 2001). Major fossile find reveals Asian origins of salamanders. Retrieved August 3, 2012, from: http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2001/20010328-salam.html

Extinction and Endangerment

0 There are 130 – 150 species of salamanders living in North America alone0 of those, 40% are at risk0 11 species have officially been given Federal

Endangered Species designation0 Other species are in varying degrees of petitioning or

are under research for that status0 Threats to Salamanders and Newts:

0 poor water quality0 habitat destruction by logging, construction, mining and sedimentation0 pharmaceuticals in water including estrogen which lowers sperm count0 deadly chytrid fungus (which has already led to other amphibian

extinctions)0 Another example of human threat belongs to the Ozark Hellbender Salamander, it is

coveted for its large size (60 cm)and it’s population has been decreased to about 590 left in the wild because of the illegal pet trade . It has been given Endangered Status.

They are a delicate species that require clean water and a safe habitat,

things that humans are continually threatening.

Platt, J. Scientific American, (October 7, 2011). Hellbender salamander gets endangered species designation, but no habitat protection-and that may be a good thing. Retrieved July 25, 2012, from: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/2011/10/07/hellbender-salamander-gets-endangered-species-designation-but-no-habitat-protection Bishop, D., Haas, C., Virginia State University. (2009, May 1) Sustaining America’s Biodiversity-Salamander Biodiversity and Conservation. Retrieved August 15, 2012, from: http:// pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-528/420-528.html

Now let’s take a closer look at Salamanders and Newts…

Bilateral Symmetry

Cephalization

Nafis, G. (Photographer). Adult, Mendocino County. [Photograph], Retrieved Aug 8, 2012, from:http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/a.gracile.html

Segmentation

Salamander / Newt BODY PLAN

Endoskeleton

True Coelom

Skeletal and Muscular Systems

0“Sallies” and Newts are vertebrates with a hard endoskeleton structure.

All vertebrate skeletons have different body forms for different animals but have similar bones.

Functions of their skeleton include:o supporto movemento protection of internal structureso production of blood cellso mineral storage

0The muscles contract to move the bones at the joints like levers.

Axolotl Limb Staging Series, St 57 hindlimb complete. [Photograph], Retrieved August 21, 2012, from: http://www.ambystoma.org/education/limb-staging-seriesHoefnagels, M. (2009). Biology: Concepts and Investigation. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

0 Salamander Skin; it’s skin is the main component of osmoregulation

0 Skin is wet and smooth, except the newt group which have drier, rougher skin

0 they soak up water from through skin0respiration occurs through skin especially in

lungless species, and species with lungs during hibernation

0secrete mucous through glands on skin to protect from drying out

0have glands that secrete toxins for defense0some species secrete hormones and pheromones

during courtship and mating0Some have natural coloring to blend in, some have

bright colors to warn predators of toxic skin

Integumentary System

Bishop, D., Haas, C., Virginia State University. (2009, May 1) Sustaining America’s Biodiversity-Salamander Biodiversity and Conservation. Retrieved August 15, 2012, from: http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-528/420-528.html

Circulatory System

0Closed circulatory system03 Chambered heart

0 2 atria0 1 ventricle

0This isn’t the most efficient way of to supply oxygenated blood through the body, because oxygenated and deoxygenated blood mixes in the only ventricle, but it works.

Szydel, K., University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, (2008). Ambystoma tigrinum, Retrieved August 16, 2012, from: http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2010/szydel_kayl/nutrition.htm

Immune and Lymphatic System0Have both innate and

adaptive immune systems0 Innate

0skin peptides0symbiotic bacteria

0 both of these are antimicrobial

0 Adaptive0cells able to recognize and

attack pathogens0has memory for future

attack

0 Even so, they are known for not having very strong

immune systems

0Lymphatic system present0 In Salamandra, 15 pairs

of lymph hearts and 1 central lymph heart

0 hearts pump lymph and collect it though vessels

0 delivers lymph to subclavian vein

0Water stored in lymph sacs0 to replenish during water

lossThe Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog Site, (2012, February 29) Disease, Retrieved August 24, 2012, from: http://www.mylfrog.info/threats/disease.htmlWelsh, J., Live Science, (April 5, 2011). Invasion of the body snatching algae. Retrieved August 27, 2012, from: http://www.livescience.com/13568-green-algae-salamander- embryos-110404.htmlDuellman, W., Trueb, L. (1994). Biology of Amphibians. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Digestive, Excretory and Urinary Systems

0 Complete Digestive System0 Digestion is almost identical to humans’0 Food travels from mouth to stomach0 Enzymes break down nutrients0 Pancreas and gall bladder secrete compounds that aid

in digestion0 Liver is present and performs vital functions0 Small intestines absorb nutrients0 Large intestines absorb salts and water and move waste

to elimination through cloaca (cloaca: the single opening for fecal matter, urine, reproductive use)

0 Liver converts ammonia to urea0 Urine processed in kidney, transported to bladder,

released through cloaca.Miller, J., Living Underworld. (2000). Caudate Biology, Retrieved August 26, 2012, from: http://www.livingunderworld.org/caudata/caudate-biology.shtml

Respiratory System0 Types of Respiration a Sallie or Newt can use,

which ones and in what degree varies by species0 Cutaneous

0 absorption of O2, disposal of CO2 through SKIN0 Brachial

0 gas exchange through gills (when and if gills are present)0 these gills are frilly masses on the head that are filled with red

blood cells that can obtain oxygen from water

0 Buccopharyngeal0 gas exchange through buccal cavity and pharynx

0 rapid throat pulsing moves air across semi-permeable buccophayngeal membrane in the mouth and pharynx

0 Newts are known to do this especially in times of stress

0 Pulmonic0 gas exchange through lungs

0 but when used it is usually supplemented by buccopharyngeal method

Miller, J., Living Underworld. (2000). Caudate Biology, Retrieved August 26, 2012, from: http://www.livingunderworld.org/caudata/caudate-biology.shtml

Endocrine System

0 They have an endocrine system much like other vertebrates, with the same hormones, same glands (pituitary, thyroid, etc.) controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain and uses negative feedback loops

0Hormones control 0 the all-important water balance osmoregulation0 metamorphosis out of larval stage to

reproductive adult stage0 secretion from glands for skin protection and

toxic defense0 research is limited about the endocrine systems

and how they react differently in aquatic and terrestrial life stages

Warburg, M (1995, February) Hormonal effect on the osmotic, electrolyte and nitrogen balance in terrestrial amphibian. Zoolog Sci. 12 (1), 1-11. Abstract retrieved from http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7795483Wells, K. (2007). The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians. Chicago: University of Chicago Press

Nervous System0 Very simple nerve system0 Central Nervous System

0 has brain with spinal cord0 nerves branch out from spinal cord

0 Generalized brain is small, but the cerebrum is large and used for the important sense of smell

0 Vision0 very important and well developed for species who use

sight to gather food, while some species’ eyes have withered away because they live in darkness

Salamander Nervous System [Illustration] Retrieved Aug 27, 2012, from: http://www.rifeenergymedicine.com/retis1a.jpgCaudata. (2012). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved August 23, 2012, from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/100353/Caudata/40573/Bones-and-cartilage

0 Sense of hearing is not well understood, there is no middle ear cavity or external ear, but parts of the inner ear are well developed, but they are able to receive vibrations0 in aquatic species and larval stages, they have a lateral line (as fish do) which is a

line of special cells that can detect small changes in the water surrounding it

Reproductive System

0 Most species:0 complex courtships, in water0 internal fertilization

0 male deposits sperm case on the ground0 female is led to them and takes sperm into cloaca where her eggs

are0 may or may not expel eggs immediately, sometimes stored0 eggs laid in gelatinous masses, strings, or singly in water or in moist

place

0 Salamandra salamandra’s eggs develop completely in the oviduct, eggs hatch as she lays them which make it look like live birth.

0 Some species:0 no courtship0 female lays eggs, male comes and sheds sperm onto them for

external fertilization0 There are small differences in how all this happens in the

different speciesMiller, J., Living Underworld. (2000). Caudate Biology, Retrieved August 26, 2012, from: http://www.livingunderworld.org/caudata/caudate-biology.shtmlCaudata. (2012). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved August 23, 2012, from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/100353/Caudata/40573/Bones-and-cartilage

The cloaca is an adaptation salamanders and newts have. Instead of having more than one opening for urine, fecal matter, and reproductive duties, the cloaca is one opening that serves all of those systems and purposes.

Unique Characteristics

Apart from the traditional senses, and the presence of the “lateral line” in some species, Salamanders studied by Cornell

University found that they can detect magnetism and can use it to navigate, and this ability is even stronger than in

homing pigeons.The New York Times (2012) Science Watch; Salamanders have a sense of magnetism. Retrieved Aug 27, 2012, from: http://www.nytimes.com/ 1983/11/29/science/science-watch-salamanders-have-a-sense-of-magnetism.html

Another unique ability that some salamanders have is that they are able to stay in their juvenile stage, meaning they will live under water and keep their gills when it suits them. This is called Neoteny. Even though they still maintain juvenile characteristics, they mature sexually. It is advantageous to stay under water when water is plentiful or if terrestrial life has too many hazards like an abundance of predators or extremely cold temperatures.Kiyonaga, R., University of Oregon. (2003, November 20) Metamorphosis vs Neoteny (Paedomorphosis) in Salamanders (Caudata), Retrieved August 27,

2012, from: http://pages.uoregon.edu/titus/herp_old/neoteny.htm

What is this little newt doing? He is feeling threatened and is displaying his “unken reflex” so show his bright colors, warning a predator that he has toxic skin.Leeke, C., Caudata.org The Newt and Salamander Portal. (2010, October 12) The Genus Triturus. Retrieved August 27, 2012, from: http://www.caudata.org/triturus/trigen.html

Nafis, G. (Photographer). Adult in defensive position. [Photograph], Retrieved Aug 8, 2012, from:http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/t.granulosa.html

Thanks for learning about me!Be good to my home!

Coate, P. (Photographer). Spotted Salamander [Photograph], Retrieved August 30, 2012, from: http://monarchbfly.com/2008/01/01/amphibians2007/#more-507

ReferencesAdams, F. (Photographer) California Newt, Taricha torosa, [Photograph], Retrieved August 3, 2012, from:

http://www.calbassin.com/Smf/index.php?topic=13127.0 Axolotl Limb Staging Series, St 57 hindlimb complete.

[Photograph], Retrieved August 21, 2012, from:http://www.ambystoma.org/education/limb-staging-series

 Bishop, D., Haas, C., Virginia State University. (2009, May 1)

Sustaining America’s Biodiversity-Salamander Biodiversity and Conservation. Retrieved August 15, 2012, from: http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/ 420/420-528/420-528.html Carter, Ed, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency. (2002)

Amphibians Around the World. Retrieved July 5, 2012, from: http://www.tn.gov/twra/tamp/amworl.shtml Caudata. (2012). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved August 23,

2012, from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/100353/Caudata/40573/Bones-and-cartilage Coate, P. (Photographer). Spotted Salamander [Photograph],

Retrieved August 30, 2012, from: http://monarchbfly.com/2008/01/01/amphibians2007/#more-507 Duellman, W., Trueb, L. (1994). Biology of Amphibians.

Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Eastern Red Spotted Newt [Illustration] Retrieved August 15, 2012, from: http://buffonescience9.wikispaces.com/UNIT+6+-+Ecology+

 Easton, J. University of Chicago Medicine, (March 28, 2001).

Major fossile find reveals Asian origins of salamanders. Retrieved August 3, 2012, from: http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2001/20010328- salam.html Ellison, M. (Photographer) A fossilized Beiyanerpeton

jianpingensis, a newly discovered 157 million year old salamander species, [Photograph], Retrieved August 3, 2012, from:http://www.livescience.com/18991-jurassic-salamander-oldest.html Hoefnagels, M. (2009). Biology: Concepts and Investigation.

Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Hollingsworth, K. (Photographer) Olympic salamander, [Photograph], Retrieved August 3, 2012, from:http://www.elwhainfo.org/node/305

 Johnson, T. (Photographer). (2004). Taricha granulosa, the most

toxic newt species. [Photograph], Retrieved August 24, 2012, from: http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/toxin2.shtml

 Kiyonaga, R., University of Oregon. (2003, November 20)

Metamorphosis vs Neoteny (Paedomorphosis) in Salamanders (Caudata), Retrieved August 27, 2012, from: http://pages.uoregon.edu/ titus/herp_old/neoteny.htm Leeke, C., Caudata.org The Newt and Salamander Portal. (2010,

October 12) The Genus Triturus. Retrieved August 27, 2012, from: http://www.caudata.org/triturus/trigen.html MacDonald, S. (Editor) Life Cycle of the Northwestern

Salamander [Illustration], Retrieved Aug 24, 2012, from: http://aknhp.uaa.alaska.edu/herps/amph_life.htmMiller, J., Living Underworld. (2000). Caudate Biology, Retrieved August 26, 2012, from:

http://www.livingunderworld.org/caudata/ caudate-biology.shtml Nafis, G. (Photographer). Adult in defensive position.

[Photograph], Retrieved August 8, 2012, from:http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/t.granulosa.html

 Nafis, G. (Photographer). Adult, Mendocino County. [Photograph],

Retrieved Aug 8, 2012, from:http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/a.gracile.html Okada, S. (Photographer) no title, [Photograph], Retrieved August

23, 2012, from:http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/PhotoGallery/Asia_Trail/18.cfm

Platt, J. Scientific American, (October 7, 2011). Hellbendersalamander gets endangered species designation, but no habitat protection-and that may be a good thing. Retrieved

July 25, 2012, from: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/2011/10/07/hellbender-salamander-gets-endangered-species-designation- but-no-habitat-protection/ Salamanders distribution over the world [Computer generated

image], Retrieved Aug 30, 2012, from: http://salamandersinniagara.comoj.com/salmander_distribution.htm Salamander Nervous System [Illustration] Retrieved Aug 27, 2012,

from: http://www.rifeenergymedicine.com/retis1a.jpg 

Szydel, K., University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, (2008). Ambystoma tigrinum, Retrieved August 16, 2012, from: http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2010/szydel_kayl/nutrition.htm

 The Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog Site, (2012, February 29)

Disease, Retrieved August 24, 2012, from: http://www.mylfrog.info/threats/disease.html The New York Times (2012) Science Watch; Salamanders have a

sense of magnetism. Retrieved Aug 27, 2012, from: http://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/29/science/science-watch-salamanders-have-a- sense-of-magnetism.html U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, (August 30, 2012), Species Reports.

Retrieved August 30, 2012, from: http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/SpeciesReport.do Warburg, M (1995, February) Hormonal effect on the osmotic, electrolyte and nitrogen balance in terrestrial amphibian.

Zoolog Sci. 12 (1), 1-11. Abstract retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7795483Wells, K. (2007). The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians. Chicago: University of Chicago Press

Wells, K. (2007). The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians. Chicago: University of Chicago Press Welsh, J., Live Science, (April 5, 2011). Invasion of the body

snatching algae. Retrieved August 27, 2012, from: http://www.livescience.com/13568-green-algae-salamander-embryos-110404.html Welsh, J., Live Science, (March 12, 2012). New jurassic

salamander is world’s oldest. Retrieved August 3, 2012, from: http://www.livescience.com/18991-jurassic-salamander-oldest.html Zoological Society of San Diego, San Diego Zoo. (2012).

Amphibians: Salamanders and Newts. Retrieved July 5, 2012, from:http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-salamander.html