Ambystomatidae
Ambystomatidae | |
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Tiger salamander | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Urodela |
Suborder: | Salamandroidea |
Family: | Ambystomatidae Gray, 1850 |
Genera | |
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Ambystomatidae is a
Characteristics and Behavior
Ambystomatids have chunky bodies with broad, flat heads and short legs. Tails are long and flattened. Colors range from black, brown, or a dull grey and can have brightly colored speckles or spots. Their skin is smooth and shiny. Most adults lack gills/gill slits and moveable eyes. There are no nasolabial grooves on the snout. Lungs are well-developed and functional. They have 10 costal grooves. Adult males have 6 sets of cloacal glands. Adult females have spermathecae in cloaca. Ambystomatids are nocturnal. Although they are more active at night, they may be found on cool days under moist
Adults tend to live in burrows and only return to waterbodies or streams to breed in early Spring. Fertilization is internal. Courtship occurs in water; males "dance," nudging the females then deposit numerous spermatophores. Most species have a larval period that extends for 3–4 months. Ambystomatids can be found in temperate forests and wetlands.[3]
Taxonomy
The genus Rhyacotriton was formerly included in this family, but is now usually placed into its own family
References
- ^ "Ambystomatidae | amphibian family | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
- ^ "AmphibiaWeb - Ambystomatidae". amphibiaweb.org. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
- ^ Heying, Heather. "Ambystomatidae (Mole Salamanders)". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
External links
- Data related to Ambystomatidae at Wikispecies
- Media related to Ambystomatidae at Wikimedia Commons
- Tree of Life: Ambystomatidae