Lab 1: Salamanders, Newts, and Caecilians

Question 1

Main families of Gymnophiona

Answer 1

1) Ichythyophiidae
2) Caeciliidae
3) Typhlonectidae
4) Dermophiidae

Question 2

Main families of Caudata

Answer 2

1) Hynobiidae
2) Sirenidae
3) Proteidae
4) Salamandridae
5) Amphiumidae
6) Ambystomatidae
7) Rhyacotritonidae
8) Plethodontidae

Question 3

Characteristic of Ambystomatidae

Answer 3

Mole salamanders
distinct coastal grooves
bicuspid teeth
mostly terrestrial
includes giant salamanders
can show neoteny (axolotl). aquatic, have external gills and tail

Question 4

Characteristic of Amphiumidae

Answer 4

Usually large
Reduced limbs
Gill slits, but no external gills
No eyelids

Question 5

Characteristic of Plethodontidae

Answer 5

Lungless salamanders
Nasolabial grooves PRESENT
Smooth skin
Distinct coastal grooves
Limbs are very far apart (if you fold fore and hind limbs they will not touch), hence are long

Question 6

Characteristic of Caeciliidae

Answer 6

Caecilian
No tail (rounded end)
mouth is beneath snout

Question 7

Characteristic of Hynobiidae

Answer 7

Adults have eyelids and NO gill slits
larvae have 4 pairs of gill slits
Coastal ridges
Think limbs with clear joints
very round head with thick neck

Question 8

Characteristic of Ichthyophiidae

Answer 8

Caecillian
clear teeth
ridges present
blunt tail
long and dark
face looks like mini shark

Question 9

Characteristic of Salamandridae

Answer 9

Big heads, shorter bodies
No costal grooves
May have markings on stomach

Question 10

Characteristics of Rhyacotritonidae

Answer 10

Torrent salamanders

Question 11

Characetristic of Typhlonectidae

Answer 11

Caecilian
flat oval head
dark
sphincter is bleached (white)