Paedomorphosis

On February 26th, our herpetology class went out the Mee-Man Park in Shelby Forest and completed a transect experiment. Our TA had gone out the day before and placed plastic species on the ground and in the trees, on and off the trail. There were two separate transects set up, one in a terrestrial environment and the other was aquatic; 26 species were placed on each trail (originally 29 on the terrestrial but 2 were lost for unknown reasons). We ran out of time so I only got to complete the terrestrial transect where I only found 20 of the specimens hidden. I thought this experiment was quite fun!

After our experiment was complete, my group had to hang around for a few minutes for the other group to return form the pond where the aquatic transect was set up. During this period, a male that works for the park I assume, brought over a specimen in a Tupperware container and said “this is a paedomorph, does anyone know what it is?” I guessed spotted salamander larvae because of the spots on the lower body, however, I was told no. Dr. Parris reminded me (in other words) that paedomorphosis refers to a developmental process in which a trait fails to develop to the point observed in the ancestral species. The species we were shown turned out to be a Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum). Morphs with larval traits can reproduce, hence their morphological development is truncated relative to their reproductive development and thus they exhibit paedogenesis. Below is a picture of the larvae and it really captures the difference between the larval stage and the adult form.

Mole Salamander Larvae


Mole Salamander Adult (photo taken on Feb 11th trip)



Serena Babin
Memphis, TN

Blanchards Cricket Frog

February 12
It was a cool, clear day, breezy, around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. We were at Harpers Run,a section of a river, in Oxford, Ohio. Someone found Acris Crepitans, or Blanchard's Cricket Frog. It was very small, grey, with the dark triangle between its eyes. Skin is textured Blanchard's Cricket Frogs are usually very tiny, less then 1 1/4 inches. They are a member of the tree frog family, Hylidae. They are found in SW Michigan, Ohio,Wisconsin, etc. There habitats need have water and with some form of vegetation. They can usually be found on the edges of ponds and streams or slightly submerged at the waters edge. They are diurnal in spring and nocturnal through the summer months. They reach sexual maturity at 1 year of age. Males will mate with any female and females can lay up to 300 eggs. There is a tadpole stage where they have a black tipped tale which is only seen in their species. They metamorphose during the summer. The lifespan is approximately 16 months. They are insectivorous. A small fact, a population of 100 cricket frogs living near a pond eat as much as 480,000 insects in one season.

Ryan D.

Southern Leopard Frog

Will try and give this a shot! : P
We didn't have any luck with finding turtles today in Charleston SC, but we did find a Southern Leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala). Although we didn't find a ton of herps, we did still have fun. Can't wait for the next field trip.

~Mel. P
College of Charleston, Dr. Welch's Herpetology Class

Southern Leopard Frog

On February 24, 2009 the students from the College of Charleston explored the swampy area of James Island, Charleston to find turtles. We were unlucky enough to not find any turtles, but we did find this Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala). It's skin was very dark brown, with large dark spots on its legs. It's webbed toes led us to distinguish it as part of the Ranoid family, and it's two ridges going down its back (not shown in the picture) as well as it's dark spots led us to distinguish it as the Southern Leopard frog.

Shahila Sriskanda
SC

Tadpole

Hi guys,

Having seen the luck that you all are having with salamander encounters, I have spent the last two afternoons flipping log, scooping pond water and walking through every ditch and puddle I can find. I have not come across any salamanders (as of yet) but I hope to put a few drop bucket traps around a kindly friend’s (and neighbor’s) pond. I would appreciate any pointers.

In the mean time, I have come across a couple of other “herps.” Around Lake Marion in Moncks Corner, South Carolina and I saw a young snake sunning on a rock last Friday. I am pretty sure that it was a water moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) but I did not have my camera or my field guide. It was beautifully colored, small (juvenile) snake and quickly dove under the water when I tried to position it to get a better look. The fact that it went under the water makes me wonder if it wasn’t a banded water snake (Nerodia fasciata), but the head looked a little wide to me. I spoke to someone that frequently walks in that area and she said that as it gets a little warmer she sees them by the dozens at dusk, so hopefully I will be able to get a picture of one and get to zoom in to identify it.

I do have a couple of pictures (sorry about the quality) of my latest find, a few hefty tadpoles. I ran across them about a half mile from where I saw the snake but on the grassy side of the lake’s dike. The first ditch that I dipped into had tons of them, but it also had very slippery, stinky mud. It was a hoot trying to catch them. After I collected a couple, I traveled to around 15 other waterholes and ditches in the area but I only found hundreds of minnows, some crayfish and a couple of really creepy bugs. After the next rain, if it coincides with a light homework night, I am going to head back out there again.

It is difficult to determine the species of tadpoles. I have compared tadpole photos and base on the size, dorsal fin and location and shape of their eyes along with the early breeding season my guess is it is a southern leopard frog (Rana utricularia).

Jennifer Thomas
South Carolina

Salamander Larvae

I want to share what I enjoyed the most about my first trip to Meeman-State Park (February 11th). We hiked a good deal in the woods to three separate ponds while searching for herps. This might sound crazy but I really thought it was fun to suit up in waders and actually climb into the ponds with the species. We didn’t see much in the larger, permanent ponds but I managed to knock over quite a tall, skinny tree while grabbing hold of it to prevent me from falling in. Ultimately we decided it would make a good basking log for the turtles in the months ahead and I apologized to the species currently residing there for disturbing their environment/habitat. We did catch a few larvae swimming around and they were identified as Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) larvae based on the time of year and the spotted salamanders reproduction overlap. Our TA informed the few of us that it was very difficult to identify salamander larvae and that we wouldn’t be held responsible for knowing this but I still found it interesting to observe. I thought that it would be a fun experience to share and I encourage everyone (if possible) grab some waders and dive in, well not literally!

Serena Babin
Memphis, TN.

Double Trouble

Wednesday, February 11th, I survived my first “herping” experience. Three other classmates, the TA, and I traveled to Meeman-Shelby State Park in Millington, TN. The previous night Matt and Forest, along with two other herp students, opened the lids on the pitfall traps that surrounded two large ponds. There was severe rainfall that night and with last minute planning we decided to go immediately to check the traps in order to avoid the drowning of any precious species. With our luck, we discovered a few unlucky guys who fell into our traps. After comparing the three salamander species, we determined that two were Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) and one was a Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum). We also discovered a very emaciated Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii).
It was interesting to me to see the differences between two species of salamanders. Although both were very distinguishable on which species they were, one had a darker brown body and displayed brighter yellow spots in quantity and quality then the other salamander. Also, it was sad to see the Spadefoot so withered. We rescued the S. holbrookii and took him back to our lab where we provided him with a moist habitat loaded with crickets at his disposal. Hopefully the poor fellow has gotten healthier since his liberation from the real wilderness. Forest? Anyway, below are a few pictures of the species that we caught. Hope you enjoy!



Serena Babin
Memphis, TN

Southern Two-Lined Salamander

on Feb 12,2009 it was sunny and and about 45-50 degrees F. I can across a two Eurycea cirrigera. I found them in some very muddy leaf litter that was on the bank of a creek in Bachelor Woods of Oxford Ohio. They were found in very close proximity of eachother only about a couple inches apart, one was about 3 and half inches long and the other was considerable smaller only about a inch and a half long. The southern two-lined salamander is very common in Ohio and throughout their range, they spend the winter in or near streams and in southern Ohio they typically breed near the end of March a beginning of April. Their reproduction is strictly aquatic. They remain in their larva stage for up to 3 years, in their adult form they are semi-aquatic and can be found near many bodies of water, the southern two-lined salamanders are considered to be territorial so it a little odd that I found two so close together. The adult southern two-lined salamander feeds on small arthropods, and they are able of shedding their tail to escape predators this is interesting because the small specimen i caught appeared to be miss part of it tail.

-Justin Taylor-

Southern Leopard Frog

Yesterday, February 11, 2008, a few students went out to visit the Meeman-Shelby State Park in Shelby County, Tennessee. The day was partly cloudy, 18 degrees Celsius, and windy conditions. The night before produced a harsh rain that provided ideal condition to search for Herps. This frog was spotted while returning to our car to leave the park. We had searched and found Chorus frogs in a stagnant pool of water. After looking it over once, a Southern Leopard Frog, or Lithobates sphenocephalus , was spotted on the outside of the water. The frog had two dorsolateral folds that went down the entire dorsal side to the groin. It had a pointed snout and elongated head. It had spotting that was very irregular down its dorsal side. It jumped into the water when startled and I was able to take this picture before it disappeared into the stagnant pool.

Vincent Pirani
Memphis, TN

Spadefoot Toad

Yesterday, February 11, 2008, a few students went out to visit the Meeman-Shelby State Park in Shelby County, Tennessee. The night before produced a harsh rain that provided ideal condition to search for Herps the following day. Once we arrived at the research area of the park, we drained and checked the pools that were used to catch frogs. This toad was the only one found inside the bigger tubs and was startled as we approached the tub. It was sitting in the sludge at the bottom after the pool was drained and difficult to catch. After successfully catching it, we examined it. By looking at its eyes, then identifying the spade on the underside of its foot, it was identified as a Spadefoot Toad, or Scaphiopus holbrooki.

Vincent Pirani
Memphis, TN

Mole Salamander

On February 11, 2008, students went to search the traps set up at the Meeman-Shelby State Park in Shelby County, Tennessee. The traps were set up because the previous night had predicted heavy rainfalls and the temperature began to rise. I came across the Mole Salamander after looking into one of the traps. At the bottom of the container, in the sludge, was a small salamander that was uniformly grayish throughout. Its head was noticeably bigger than the rest of its body. Also the salamander had a short tail and seemed chunkier than the Spotted Salamander caught earlier. The salamander was identified as a Mole Salamander, or the Ambystoma talpoideum. The Mole Salamander was only about 8cm in length and did not become as active as the previous Spotted Salamander caught on the same day.

Vincent Pirani
Memphis, TN

Spotted Salamander

On February 11, 2008, students went to search the traps set up at the Meeman-Shelby State Park in Shelby County, Tennessee. The traps were set up because the previous night had predicted heavy rainfalls and the temperature had been roughly 18 degrees Celsius. The traps were located up the hill of a pond that was extremely active with salamanders and frogs. I came across this Spotted Salamander after looking into traps that were set up from the night before. At the bottom of the container was a 12cm salamander that had a brown back and yellow spots running down its dorsal side. After careful observation it was determined to be a Spotted Salamander, or the Ambystoma maculatum. The Spotted Salamander was placed on a leaf and I was able to take a picture of it before I took it down to the pond and released it.

Vincent Pirani
Memphis, TN

Southeastern Chorus Frog

Yesterday, February 11, 2008, a few students went out to visit the Meeman-Shelby State Park in Shelby County, Tennessee. The night before produced a harsh rain that provided ideal conditions to search for Herps the following day. I came across this Southeastern Chorus Frog, Psedudacris feriarum after the frog was producing its mating call from a stagnant pool of water that was produced from the previous night’s rainfall. The calls seemed to come from roughly10-15 frogs, and sounded like a finger running down the edge of a comb. After sneaking up to the water, the frogs quieted down and hid. After a few minutes of searching, this Chorus Frog was found sitting at the bottom of the water. The frog was small, roughly 3-4 cm in length, and was very active. The frog had thin dorsal stripes that were broken up in a few spots. A few of the frogs were found in aplexis and were unable to separate, showing its strength of holding onto the females during mating. The picture was taken after one of the free Chorus Frogs was picked up for observation.

Vincent Pirani
Memphis, TN

Pig Frog

The College of Charleston's Herpetology class went on a field trip to the Francis Marion National Forest February 10, 2009. We were excited to find several amphibians on our trip, such as the Lesser siren (Siren intermedia) and Southern cricket frog (Acris gryllus). We also found a beautiful big frog around 4inches long and at first we thought it was a Bull Frog (Rana catesbeiana), but we noticed that this frog had extensive webbed hind feet all the way to the tip of the toes. It also had a white belly with speckled brown flecks. We came to the conclusion that he was actually a Pig frog (Rana grylio). Hearing his call would confirm or deny this identification. Notice his tympanum. I was really taken away by his eyes. They were a bright hazel/amber color and were absolutely beautiful. I tried to capture this image, but it came out slightly blurry although you can still somewhat see his eye color. I was sad to see that there was a hole in one of his webbed feet. You can actually see the hole in the very first picture.























-Shahila Sriskanda (SC)

Lesser Siren

Yesterday our class went on a field trip to the Francis Marion National Forest. We found several frogs (mainly Southern cricket and one Pig frog) and a Lesser siren (Siren intermedia). It's hard to tell the Greater siren from the Lesser siren but we determined it was a Lesser siren because of it's length. This little guy had two tiny front legs and no hind legs. The Lesser siren had external gills and lacked eyelids which are characteristics of paedomorphism We found him in a trap set by the professor in shallow water. Sorry the picture is not better, it was taken from my phone.

-Shenna McBride (SC)

Marbled Salamander

It was late, about 11 or 12 o'clock at night, it was fall, it was warm and it had been raining all day, these were the perfect conditions leading up to an encounter with a Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum). My super swift husband was able to catch this beautiful specimen that was running along side our house this evening. We brought it inside to examine and show our then 2 year old son. These truly were perfect conditions for spotting the Marbled salamander, unlike other Ambystoma who breed in the spring, the opacum species breed in the fall. After mating the female will find a dry depression to lay her 50-100 eggs which will hatch with the first rain that comes. It is interesting that the eggs are able to remain dormant if a rain never comes and hatch the following spring. I could not tell if the salamander was male or female at the time and unfortunately my best picture is slightly blurry. However, the males typically have silvery-white crossbands which become very white during breeding season, while the females crossbands are silvery-gray. So looking back at the picture now I would guess this animal to be female due to the gray crossbands. I'm looking forward to finding more Herps in our yard this spring, we have a lot of wooded area and plenty of leaf litter for the critters since we don't rake.

Jena Fay, TN