Urodelans of VT Flashcards
1
Q
What is the scientific name of the Eastern Newt
A
Notopthalmus viridescens
2
Q
What is the family of the Eastern Newt?
A
Salamandridae
3
Q
What is Salamandridae considered?
A
the “true” salamanders
4
Q
What is the life history of the Eastern Newt?
A
- Red efts (the juvenile phase) live exclusively on land for years
- Adults change color and morphology, returning to water to breed
- Lay their eggs individually on underwater vegetation
- Nuptial pads help ID males
- Aquatic or terrestrial brumation
5
Q
What is the habitat of the Eastern Newt?
A
- Summers and winters in hardwood forests near permanent water
- Breeds in beaver ponds, ponds, lakes, marshes, etc.
- Common through most of VT except in the conifer-dominated NE Kingdom.
6
Q
Where are Eastern Newts found?
A
almost whole map is covered except the top middle and right hand is a little missing
7
Q
What is the conservation status of the Eastern Newt?
A
-S5 (common)
- Highly susceptible to Bsal (new pathogen not thought to be in US yet)
8
Q
What are the field ID marks for the Eastern Newt?
A
The Eastern Newt as a terrestrial juvenile is reddish-orange with slightly bumpy skin.
As an aquatic adult, the Eastern Newt turns olive green and their bellies reveal scattered black spots on a bright yellow background. They reach 5 inches in length.
Juveniles and adults both have a dark horizontal line going through their eyes and rows of red spots outlined in black along their backs.
9
Q
What is the family of the mole salamanders?
A
Ambystomatidae
10
Q
What are the three mole salamanders of Vermont?
A
+Jefferson salamander
+Blue-spotted salamander
+Spotted salamander
11
Q
What is the scientific name of the Jefferson Salamander?
A
Ambystoma jeffersonianum
12
Q
What is the family of the Jefferson Salamander?
A
Ambystomatidae
13
Q
What is the life history of the Jefferson Salamander?
A
- Spends most of their life underground (like a mole)
- Overwinters underground- Lays loose masses of 10-40 eggs
- Larvae metamorphose in 2-4 months
- Hybridized with blue-spotted (“The Jeff Complex”)
14
Q
What is the habitat of the Jefferson Salamander?
A
- Summer and overwinter in upland forests
- Breeds in vernal pools and other semi-permanent wetlands
- Found in low, hilly areas in soils of high buffering capacity (sensitive to acidity in breeding pools).
15
Q
Where are the Jefferson Salamander found?
A
In the lowlands around the mountain range except the North
16
Q
What is the conservation status of the Jefferson Salamander?
A
-S2 (rare); please report all sightings
- Acid rain
17
Q
What are the field ID marks of the Jefferson Salamander?
A
They grow to 7 inches long. This species has a solid gray-brown body with tiny white flecks on the belly and lower sides. It is a chunky salamander with strong legs, a wide head, and a laterally-compressed tail (like a fish). The head and snout are wider and longer in this species than in Blue-spotted Salamanders but not as wide as the head of the Spotted Salamanders. They usually lay their eggs in sausage-shaped gelatinous masses of 10-30 eggs. Unlike Spotted Salamander egg-masses, Jefferson Salamander masses tend to not hold their shape when out of the water.
18
Q
What is the scientific name of the Blue-spotted Salamander?
A
Ambystoma laterale
19
Q
What is the family of the blue-spotted Salamander?
A
Ambystomatidae
20
Q
What is the life history of the blue-spotted salamander?
A
- Spends most of their life underground (like a mole)
- Overwinters underground
- Lays single gelatinous eggs (but hybrids with Jefferson salamanders lay egg masses of ~10 eggs)
- Larvae metamorphose in 2-4 months
- “Jeff Complex”
21
Q
What is the habitat of the blue-spotted Salamander?
A
- Lower elevation vernal pools, flood plains, semi-permanent pools, marshes, and swamps.
- Populations scattered
22
Q
Where are blue-spotted Salamanders found?
A
Lower elevation and mostly around Lake Champlain, but only on the left side of the mountain range. Largely a Champlain lowlands species.
The Jefferson Salamander is found on the left and right of the mountain range
23
Q
What is the conservation status of the blue-spotted salamander?
A
- S3 (uncommon); please report all sightings
24
Q
What are the field ID marks of the Blue-spotted Salamander?
A
The Blue-spotted Salamander is the smallest of Vermont’s three mole salamanders. Mole salamanders spend most of their lives underground (like moles) except when migrating to and from breeding wetlands, pools, and ponds. They all have sturdy bodies and strong legs. They grow to 5 inches long and are black with small light blue spots on their backs and sides.
25
What is the scientific name of the Spotted Salamander?
Ambystoma maculatum
26
What is the family of the Spotted Salamander?
Ambystomatidae
27
What is the life history of the Spotted Salamander?
- Spends most of their life underground (like a mole)
- Overwinters underground
- Lays egg masses (that you should be able to identify) of 20-250 eggs. Its yellow and a mass that holds its shape.
- Larvae metamorphose in 2-4 months
- Can live for 20 years!
28
What is the habitat of the Spotted Salamander?
- Summer and overwinter in upland hardwood and mixed forests.
- Breeding in vernal pools, beaver ponds, and old farm ponds.
29
What is the conservation status of the Spotted Salamander?
-S5 (common)
30
Where are Spotted Salamanders found?
literally all over Vermont
31
What is the field ID marks of a Spotted Salamander?
The Spotted Salamander is the largest of Vermont’s three mole salamanders. It grows up to 9 inches long. It is a black salamander with bright yellow spots. Spotted Salamanders have strong legs and a broad flat head.
32
What is the family name of the lungless salamanders?
Plethodontidae
33
What are the three slender salamanders that are also considered lungless salamanders?
Eastern Redbacked Salamander
four-toed salamander
northern two-lined salamander
34
What is the scientific name of the eastern redbackeed salamander?
Plethodon cinereus
35
What is the family of the eastern redbacked salamander?
Plethodontidae
36
What is the life history of the eastern redbacked salamander?
- Entirely terrestrial life cycle
- Direct development (rather than larval) offspring
- Overwinters underground
- Lays eggs under logs in moist microhabitat; females will guard nests
37
What is the habitat of the eastern redbacked salamander?
- Hardwood and mixedwood associated, especially in areas with deep leaf litter
- Not a fan of acidic soils (e.g., coniferous woodlands)
- Found statewide
38
Where are eastern redbacked salamanders found?
literally everywhere in vermont
39
What is the conservation status of the eastern redbacked salamander?
-S5 (common)
- Sensitive to forest management activities
40
What are the field ID marks of the eastern redbacked salamander?
Adults range from 3½ – 5 inches in length. Eastern Red-backed Salamanders usually have a reddish-brown back with darker sides. Their belly is a salt and pepper mix of white and gray that looks like granite. Occasionally salamanders missing the red color (lead phase) or missing the dark sides (red phase) can be found.
41
What is the scientific name of the four toed salamander?
Hemidactylium scutatum
42
What is the family of the four-toed salamander?
Plethodontidae
43
What is the life history of the four-toed salamander?
- Will lay 15-60 eggs in moss or debris near water, sometimes in communal nests
- Larval development rapid, 3-6 weeks
- Overwinters underground and undercover, sometimes in mixed species groups
44
What is the habitat of the four-toed salamander?
- Moist and dry woodlands, and also in forests adjacent to swamps.
45
What is the conservation status of the four-toed salamander?
-S2 (rare). Please report all sightings.
46
Where is the four-toed salamander found?
Lake Champlain lowlands and some in the bottom right hand corner
47
What is the field ID marks of the four-toed salamander?
t is our only terrestrial salamander that has four toes on its rear feet. Adults range from 3-4 inches long. Four-toed Salamanders have black flecks on a reddish-brown back and grayish-brown upper sides. Their belly and lower sides are bright white with black scattered spots. The back has grooves on it that can form a chevron pattern.
Large, healthy adults have a constriction at the base of their tails, which is where their tail can break off if grabbed by a predator. It will later grow back.
48
What is the scientific name of the northern two-lined salamander?
Eurycea bislineata
49
What is the family of the northern two-lined salamander?
Plethodontidae
50
What is the life history of the northern two-lined salamander?
- Lays masses of 10s of eggs on underside of a rock in streams
- Communal nesting
- Long larval stage of 2-3 years! (important)
- Overwinters in running water or in nearby terrestrial habitat
51
What is the habitat of the northern two-lined salamander?
- A stream-associated salamander
- Found in wet soil or under cover in or around streams or seeps
52
What is the conservation status of the northern two-lined salamander?
-S5 (common)
53
Where is the northern two-lined salamander found?
literally all over vermont
54
What are the field ID marks of the northern two-lined salamander?
Adults range from 3 – 5 inches long. They have a yellow-brown stripe down the middle of their backs. On either side of the stripe there are two thin black stripes that start at the eye and extend the length of their bodies. The underside of their tail is a bright yellowish-orange. All four of their legs are about the same size, slender and thin.
55
What are the two larger Lungless salamanders family?
Plethodontidae
56
What are the two larger Lungless salamanders?
Northern Dusky Salamander
Spring Salamander
57
What is the scientific name of the Northern Dusky Salamander?
Desmognathus fuscus
58
What is the family of the Northern Dusky Salamander?
Plethodontidae
59
What is the life history of the Northern Dusky Salamander?
- One egg mass of up to 40 eggs is laid in moist mosses on logs in seeps and is guarded by the female
- Long larval period of 7-12 months
- Overwinters in streams or nearby deep soils
60
What is the habitat of the Northern Dusky Salamander?
- Another stream-associated salamander.
- streams, springs, and/or areas with seepage. Muck!
- Rocks, logs, or other debris for shelter.
- May share habitat with Northern two-lined and spring salamanders
61
What is the conservation status of the Northern Dusky Salamander?
-S5 (common)
62
Where are Northern Dusky Salamanders found?
literally everywhere in Vermont
63
What are the field ID marks for the Northern Dusky Salamander?
The Northern Dusky Salamander is a grayish-brown salamander that is noticeably chunkier than the Northern Two-lined Salamander that they often share their habitat with. Adults range from 3 – 5½ inches long. On young individuals, white lines outlined in black start at the eye and angle down to their jaw. These lines fade as the salamanders age. Their back legs are larger and stronger then their front legs, and their tail is partially keeled.
64
What is the scientific name of the Spring Salamander?
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus
65
What is the family of the Spring Salamander?
Plethodontidae
66
What is the life history of the Spring Salamander?
- One egg mass of up to 130 eggs is laid on the underside of rocks in streams
- Long larval period of 3-4 years!
- Overwinters in streams and may be active year round
67
What is the habitat of the Spring Salamander?
- Well-oxygenated, cold, clear mountain streams or springs
- Will feed on land near streams at night
68
What is the conservation status of the Spring Salamander?
-S4 (relatively common)
69
Where are Spring Salamanders found?
at higher elevations along the mountain range. Lacking along the champlain side and mid to north right side
a higher elevations species, absent from the Champlain lowlands
70
What are the field ID marks of the Spring Salamander?
The Spring Salamander is one of the larger salamanders in Vermont; it can grow to 8 inches long. It is salmon-pink to reddish with black mottling. White lines outlined in black run from their eyes to their nostrils. Their tails are laterally compressed (like a fish) and all of their legs are thick and strong.
71
What is the scientific name of the mudpuppy?
Necturus maculosus
72
What is the family name of the mudpuppy?
Proteidae
73
What is the life history of the mudpuppy?
- 50-100 eggs laid under rocks, logs, etc. and guarded by female
- Larval characteristics (e.g., gills) persist for life, but 5+ years to sexual maturity
- Active year-round, even in winter (below the ice)
74
What is the habitat of the mudpuppy?
- In VT, spend most time at depths of up to 60 feet in Lake Champlain, the Connecticut River and some tributaries.
- May move upstream or to shorelines to shallower water to lay their eggs.
75
Where are mudpuppies found?
Native range in Lake Champlain Basin, introduced (as released bait?) in CT River Basin.
Along the side of lake champlain and the right side starting in the upper middle part of vermont side.
76
What is the conservation status of the mudpuppy?
- S2 (rare)
- May be impacted by lampricide
77
What are the field ID marks of the mudpuppy?
The Mudpuppy is our only completely aquatic salamander, and our largest. In Vermont, individuals measuring up to 14 inches long have been reported.
Juvenile Mudpuppies have broad yellowish stripes. As adults, they become all brown with black blotches. Their tail is laterally compressed (like a fish) and their snout is broad and squared. They have feathery external gills that billow out in water to gather oxygen.
78
What are the slender salamanders? (3-4 inches long)
eastern redbacked
four-toed
northern two-lined
79
What are the medium salamanders? (~ 5 inches)
blue-spotted
eastern newt
northern dusky
80
What are the large salamanders? (6-8 inches)
spring
spotted salamander
jefferson
jefferson/blue spotted hybrid
81
What is the extra large salamander? (up to a foot long)
mudpuppy
82
What are the mole salamanders?
Ambystoma laterale
Ambystoma jeffersonianum
Ambystoma maculatum
83
How do you tell the mole salamanders apart?
Ambystoma laterale
+ Black with blue spots/flecks (especially on the sides)
+ Narrow, fairly rounded snout, nostrils close together
+ Rounded tail
Ambystoma jeffersonianum
+ Solid gray-brown, sometimes with flecks
+ Broad head, widely spaced nostrils
+ Laterally compressed tail
Ambystoma maculatum
+ Yellow spots on a black background
+ Broad head
+ Rounded tail
84
What are the slender salamanders and how do you tell them apart?
Hemidactylium scutatum
+ Orange-brown coloration
+ Cream colored belly with dark vermiculations (worm trails)
Plethodon cinereus
+ Dark red, sometimes dark brown-gray or reddish orange
+ Red stripe (usually) down center of back
+ “Salt and pepper” belly (i.e., black spots on white background)
Eurycea bislineata
+ Yellow-brown with black lines bordering a yellowbrown stripe
+ Yellow under tail
85
What are the aquatic salamanders and how do you tell them apart?
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus
+ Salmon-pink body with dark reticulations
+ No external gills as adults
+ Sharply keeled tail
+ Clean, fast-moving mountain streams
Necturus maculosus
+Dark brown body with black spots
+External gills throughout life
+Laterally compressed tail
+Large tributaries below first fall line
86
What is the distribution of the Blue-Spotted Salamander?
87
What is the distribution of the Eastern Newt?
88
What is the distribution of the Eastern Red-Backed Salamander?
89
What is the distribution of the Four-Toed Salamander
90
What is the distribution of the Jefferson Salamander?
91
What is the distribution of the Mudpuppy?
92
What is the distribution of the Northern Dusky Salamander?
93
What is the distribution of the Northern Two-lined Salamander?
94
What is the distribution of the Spring Salamander?
95
What is the distribution of the Spotted Salamander?
