Tiger salamander
Several in captivity
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Ambystomatidae
Genus: Ambystoma
Species:
A. tigrinum
Binomial name
Ambystoma tigrinum
(Green, 1825)
Synonyms[2]
  • Siren operculata Palisot de Beauvois, 1799 (invalid)
  • Proteus neocaesariensis Green, 1818 (invalid)
  • Axolotus philadelphicus Jarocki, 1822 (invalid)
  • Salamandra tigrina Green, 1825 (basionym)
  • Salamandra ingens Green, 1831
  • Salamandra lurida Sager, 1839
  • Ambystoma episcopus Baird, 1850 "1849"
  • Siredon harlanii Duméril, Bibron, and Duméril, 1854
  • Ambystoma bicolor Hallowell, 1858 "1857"
  • Amblystoma conspersum Cope, 1859 Amblystoma obscurum
  • Baird in Cope, 1868 "1867" Amblystoma xiphias
  • Cope, 1868 "1867" Amblystoma copeianum
  • Hay, 1885

The tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) is a species of mole salamander[2] and one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in North America.[3]

Description

Tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)
Biofluorescence in Ambystoma tigrinum

These salamanders usually grow to a length of 6–8 in (15–20 cm) with a lifespan of around 12–15 years.[4] They are characterized by having markings varying in color on the back of their head, body, and tail.[5] The coloring of these spots range from brownish yellow to greenish yellow, while the rest of their back is black or dark brown.[3] They have short snouts, thick necks, strong legs, and lengthy tails.[6] Tiger salamanders are a sexually dimorphic species, as the males are larger in body size, as well as have longer and higher tails than females.[7] Their diet consists largely of small insects, snails, slugs, frogs, and worms, although it is not rare for an adult to turn cannibalistic and consume its own kind.[5][8] Cannibalism in these salamanders can almost always be traced back to a large volume of competing predators and lack of prey in the area.[9] If the opportunity presents itself, tiger salamanders will even feed on other smaller salamander species, lizards, snakelets (baby snakes), and newborn mice.[8][10]

On February 2, 2005, Representative Bob Biggins introduced a bill to make the tiger salamander the official state amphibian of Illinois and to make the painted turtle the official state reptile. The bill was signed into law by Governor Rod Blagojevich on July 19, 2005.[11]

Habitat

Tiger salamanders habitats range from woodlands crowded with conifer and deciduous trees to grassy open fields.[3] These amphibians are secretive creatures who spend most of their lives underground in burrows, making them difficult to spot.[4] One significant requirement these salamanders need to thrive is loose soil for burrowing.[12] Tiger salamanders are almost entirely terrestrial as adults, and usually only return to the water to breed. The ideal breeding condition for tiger salamanders ranges from wetlands, such as cattle ponds and vernal pools, to flooded swamps.[5] The colonization of wetlands by tiger salamanders has been positively related to the area of the wetlands.[13] This species is most commonly found on the Atlantic coast from New York down to Florida.[14] They are known, however, to be the widest ranging species of salamander in North America and have been found in smaller populations from coast to coast.[6] Ambystoma tigrinum populations occurring in northern and eastern regions of the United States are thought to be native populations as evidence from a study uncovered the species in these regions seem to be from relict populations. The species which occur on the west coast of the United States are not necessarily native occurring to the region and occur as a result of introduction for sport fishing bait, which has resulted in hybridization.[15] Though tiger salamanders are not indicators of an ecosystem, they are good indicators of a healthy environment because they need good moist soil to burrow in. But pond disturbance, invasive fish, and road construction threaten the annual population.[16]

Breeding

Like all ambystomatids, they are extremely loyal to their birthplaces, and will travel long distances to reach them. Some research has shown that females will travel farther than males.[17] However, a single tiger salamander has only a 50% chance of breeding more than once in its lifetime. In a study conducted in South Carolina, breeding migrations of adult tiger salamanders began in late October or November for males and November through February for females.[18] The tiger salamander's ideal breeding period is somewhere between the late winter and early spring, once the ground is warm enough and the water is thawed.[12] Males nudge a willing female to initiate mating, and then deposit a spermatophore on the lake bottom. Some males known as sneaker males will mimic female behavior in order to trick females in taking their spermatophore without alerting the male rival.[19] There appears to be no relation between size and mating success.[20] However, females prefer mates with longer tails over mates with shorter tails.[7] About 48 hours after insemination, the female is ready to deposit her eggs in the breeding pool.[12] One female can lay up to 25–30 eggs per egg mass. She carefully attaches the eggs to secure twigs, grass, and leaves at the bottom of the pool to ensure her eggs safety.[21] In about 12–15 days time, the eggs will be fully hatched and ready to mature in the pool.[21] It takes a tiger salamander approximately three months to reach full maturity and leave the breeding pool.[21] Large-scale captive breeding of tiger salamanders has not been accomplished, for unknown reasons.

The larva is entirely aquatic, and is characterized by large external gills[22][23] and a prominent caudal fin that originates just behind the head, similar to the Mexican axolotl. Limbs are fully developed within a short time of hatching. Some larvae, especially in seasonal pools and in the north, may metamorphose as soon as feasible. These are known as small morph adults. Other larvae, especially in ancestral pools and warmer climates, may not metamorphose until fully adult size. These large larvae are usually known as 'waterdogs',[24] and are used extensively in the fishing bait and pet trades. Some populations may not metamorphose at all, and become sexually mature while in their larval form. These are the neotenes, and are particularly common where terrestrial conditions are poor.

Diseases

Although immune themselves, tiger salamanders transmit Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which is a major worldwide threat to most frog species by causing the disease chytridiomycosis.[25] Tiger salamanders also carry ranaviruses, which infect reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Using tiger salamander larvae as fishing bait appears to be a major source of exposure and transport to wild populations. One of these ranaviruses is even named the Ambystoma tigrinum virus (ATV). This ranavirus only transmits to other salamanders and was not found in fish or other amphibians.[26] Severe mortality of tiger salamander larvae sometimes occurs from recurring ranavirus infections.

The California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense)[27] (listed at Vulnerable), the barred tiger salamander (A. mavortium), and the plateau tiger salamander (A. velasci) were all once considered subspecies of A. tigrinum, but are now considered separate species. Genetic studies made it necessary to break up the original A. tigrinum population, though some hybridization between groups occurs.

The California tiger salamander is now federally listed as an endangered species mostly due to habitat loss; however, very few studies have been performed on this species.[28]

The axolotl is also a relative of the tiger salamander.[29][30] Axolotls live in a paedomorphic state, retaining most characteristics of their larval stage for their entire lifespans. While they never metamorphose under natural conditions, metamorphosis can be induced in them, resulting in a form very similar to the plateau tiger salamander. This is not, however, their natural condition, and dramatically shortens their lifespan.

References

  1. ↑ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2022). "Ambystoma tigrinum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T83293207A196342827. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T83293207A196342827.en. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  2. 1 2 Frost, Darrel R. (2021). "Ambystoma tigrinum (Green, 1825)". Amphibian Species of the World: An Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. doi:10.5531/db.vz.0001. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 Smith, Hobart M. (1978). Amphibians of North America: a guide to field identification. New York: Golden Press. ISBN 978-0-307-63662-1. OCLC 4875093.
  4. 1 2 "Tiger Salamander". National Wildlife Federation. Retrieved 2019-11-29.
  5. 1 2 3 Niemiller, Matthew L.; Reynolds, R. Graham (2011). The Amphibians of Tennessee. Knoxville, Tennessee: University of Tennessee Press. pp. 88, 89, 90. ISBN 978-1-57233-762-6.
  6. 1 2 "Tiger Salamander". Animals. National Geographic. 10 September 2010. Archived from the original on May 26, 2017. Retrieved 2019-11-29.
  7. 1 2 Howard, R.D.; Moorman, R.S.; Whiteman, H.H. (June 1997). "Differential effects of mate competition and mate choice on eastern tiger salamanders". Animal Behaviour. 53 (6): 1345–1356. doi:10.1006/anbe.1996.0359. ISSN 0003-3472. PMID 9236030. S2CID 6967838.
  8. 1 2 Wentz, Alissa. "Ambystoma tigrinum (Eastern Tiger Salamander)". Animal Diversity Web.
  9. ↑ McKlean, K.I. (January 2016). "Cannibalistic-morph Tiger Salamanders in Unexpected Ecological Contexts". American Midland Naturalist. 1: 64–65. doi:10.1674/amid-175-01-64-72.1.
  10. ↑ "Ambystoma tigrinum". AmphibiaWeb. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
  11. ↑ Biggins, Bob (February 2, 2005). "Bill Status of House Bill 847: State Amphibian Reptile". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 Wentz, Alissa. "Ambystoma tigrinum (Eastern Tiger Salamander)". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  13. ↑ Millikin, Alice R.; Coster, Stephanie S.; Welsh, Amy B.; Anderson, James T. (2023). "Pool Age and Local Habitat Are Associated with Effective Number of Breeders in Spotted Salamander Populations Colonizing Created Vernal Pools". Diversity. 15 (2): 124. doi:10.3390/d15020124. ISSN 1424-2818.
  14. ↑ "Tiger Salamanders". amphibianfoundation.org. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
  15. ↑ Johnson, Jarrett R.; Thomson, Robert C.; Micheletti, Steven J.; Shaffer, H. Bradley (April 2011). "The origin of tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) populations in California, Oregon, and Nevada: introductions or relicts?". Conservation Genetics. 12 (2): 355–370. Bibcode:2011ConG...12..355J. doi:10.1007/s10592-010-0144-2. ISSN 1566-0621. S2CID 16248640.
  16. ↑ Shi, Rowena. "Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society".
  17. ↑ Titus, Valorie; Madison, Dale; Green, Timothy (2014). "The Importance of Maintaining Upland Forest Habitat Surrounding Salamander Breeding Ponds: Case Study of the Eastern Tiger Salamander in New York, USA". Forests. 5 (12): 3070–3086. doi:10.3390/f5123070. ISSN 1999-4907.
  18. ↑ Semlitsch, Raymond D. (16 August 1983). "Structure and Dynamics of Two Breeding Populations of the Eastern Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum". Copeia. 1983 (3): 608–616. doi:10.2307/1444324. JSTOR 1444324.
  19. ↑ Arnold, Stevan J. (2010-04-26). "Sexual Behavior, Sexual Interference and Sexual Defense in the Salamanders Ambystoma maculatum, Ambystoma tigrinum and Plethodon jordani". Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie. 42 (3): 247–300. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1976.tb00970.x. ISSN 0044-3573.
  20. ↑ Williams, Rod N.; DeWoody, J. Andrew (2009-06-01). "Reproductive Success and Sexual Selection in Wild Eastern Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma t. tigrinum)". Evolutionary Biology. 36 (2): 201–213. Bibcode:2009EvBio..36..201W. doi:10.1007/s11692-009-9058-7. ISSN 1934-2845. S2CID 22305575.
  21. 1 2 3 "Eastern Tiger Salamander". Chesapeake Bay Program. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  22. ↑ Doug Collicutt. "Raising Tigers! Tiger Salamanders, that is". Nature North.
  23. ↑ "Ambystoma tigrinum". AmphibiaWeb.
  24. ↑ "Water Dogs". Arizona Highways. September 17, 2015.
  25. ↑ Verbrugghe, Elin; Van Rooij, Pascale; Favoreel, Herman; Martel, An; Pasmans, Frank (November 2019). "In vitro modeling of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection of the amphibian skin". PLOS ONE. 14 (11): e0225224. Bibcode:2019PLoSO..1425224V. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225224. PMC 6855447. PMID 31725762. S2CID 208035849.
  26. ↑ Jancovich, JK; Davidson, EW; Seiler, A; Jacobs, BL; Collins, JP (2001). "transmission of the Ambystoma tigrinum virus to alternative hosts". Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 46 (3): 159–163. doi:10.3354/dao046159. ISSN 0177-5103. PMID 11710549.
  27. ↑ Shaffer, H. B.; S. Stanley (1991). Final report to California Department of Fish and Game. California tiger salamander surveys, 1991 (Report). Rancho Cordova, California: California Department of Fish and Game, Inland Fisheries Division. Contract FG9422
  28. ↑ Trenham, Peter C.; Shaffer, H. Bradley; Koenig, Walter D.; Stromberg, Mark R.; Ross, S.T. (1 May 2000). "Life History and Demographic Variation in the California Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma californiense)". Copeia. 2000 (2): 365. doi:10.1643/0045-8511(2000)000[0365:LHADVI]2.0.CO;2. S2CID 17033926.
  29. ↑ "Mexican Walking Fish, Axolotls Ambystoma mexicanum" (PDF). Aquarium Industries. March 15, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-03-15.
  30. ↑ "Aquarium Online - Axolotols (Walking Fish)". April 10, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-04-10.
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