Lab Quiz 2- Salamander Ecomorphs

Question 1

What are the various ecomorphs found in the Salamanders?

Answer 1

Terrestrial ecomorph
Scansorial ecomorph
Fossorial ecomorph
Aquatic ecomorph
Aquatic burrower ecomorph 
Aquatic bottom-walker ecomorph
Troglobitic ecomorph

Question 2

Terrestrial ecomorph

Answer 2

Generally secretive and nocturnal, most of the time spent beneath rocks or logs
~fully transformed, no gills or lateral line
~Distinct head, protuberant eyes with eyelids, small to moderate in size ~Dicamptodon are largest terrestrial ecomorph (~30 cm)

Question 3

Scansorial Ecomorph

Answer 3

Climbers
~Arboreal and saxicolous species (some species do both)
~saxicolous forms look like terrestrial salamanders but expanded tips of digits
~Arboreal forms have fully webbed hands and feet
~Both may have prehensile tails

Question 4

Fossorial Ecomorph

Answer 4

~Small, slender salamanders with extremely elongate tail, relatively small head and eyes (Ex. Batrachoceps, some Oedipina)

Question 5

Generalized Aquatic Ecomorph

Answer 5

~Confined to water
~Tend to be neotonic, may retain gills, lateral line system, no eyelids
~Have tail fins for swimming

Question 6

Aquatic Burrower Ecomorph

Answer 6

~Spend most of their time in submerged burrows
~Neotonic, may retain external gills, lateral line system, lack eyelids
~Serpentine bodies with extremely reduced limbs
~May be very large, much larger than terrestrial salamanders
EX: Siren

Question 7

Aquatic Bottom-Walker Ecomorph

Answer 7

~Metamorphosis may be complete (Desmognathus) or incomplete (Cryptobranchidae)
~Head, body, and tail fusiform, no distinct neck or protuberant eyes
~Tail laterally compressed
~Limbs & digits strong for holding on in current
~May be small (Desmognathus) or huge (Cryptobranchus, Andrias)

Question 8

Troglobitic Ecomorph

Answer 8

~Cave dwellers that usually occur in water
~Neotonic
~Many are blind or nearly so
~Extreme forms have spindly limbs, a spatulate snout and lack pigmentation
~Some occur in water systems that have no known connection to the surface (ex. Eurycea robusta)