Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) progression from larvae to adult.
If this can help in field identification, this is another one of those “for what it’s worth” posts for anyone interested, or would like to add more.
This is similar to “Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) progression from larva” at:
http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/vie ... 66#p265066
As many of you know, Yellow Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) lay clear and opaque egg masses early in the year. Both egg masses are viable.
eggs by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
The cells of the eggs start dividing quickly:
1 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
2 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
4 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
(I think I saw this creature in the movie version of Dune.)
5 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
They turn into pilot whales:
8 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
9 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
They look and swim like fish:
a10 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
a11 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
a12 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
a13 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
A14 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
The assert their dominance on other pond members by stepping on their heads!
A15 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
Dorsal view sees them darkening and a hint of Xanthophores.
A16 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
A17 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
Metamorphisis begins – gills and tail are being absorbed:
A18 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
Metamorphisis complete:
A20 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
Animal really darkens and silvery sides are clear. Certainly a herper can clearly ID this animal at this time.
B21 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
B23 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
Different animal, but typical:
_MG_6703 by Bill McGighan, on Flickr
Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) progression from la
Moderator: Scott Waters
- BillMcGighan
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Re: Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) progression fro
Very cool, thanks!
FH
FH
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Re: Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) progression fro
Great stuff Bill. What were you using for the macro shots?
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Re: Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) progression fro
FH,
Thanks B. I hope it's useful to someone in the field.
Carl,
Thanks. I was inspired to do these little projects from your Pseudotriton larvae paper that was such a help to me defining P. ruber from P. montanus larvae.
Hey Josh,
Hope all is going well on your side of the mountains.
I'm going to make our real photography folks cringe here, but here's what I used:
Canon camera
105mm sigma macro lens (sometimes with a doubler)
Usually iso 400
Usually F8 or F16
tripod
Canon speedlite flash at a 45 degree angle, with cheap diffuser.
Some creative editing for lighting.
Because of the 18 megpixel resolution, most were cropped at 50%
Regards, Bill
Thanks B. I hope it's useful to someone in the field.
Carl,
Thanks. I was inspired to do these little projects from your Pseudotriton larvae paper that was such a help to me defining P. ruber from P. montanus larvae.
Hey Josh,
Hope all is going well on your side of the mountains.
I'm going to make our real photography folks cringe here, but here's what I used:
Canon camera
105mm sigma macro lens (sometimes with a doubler)
Usually iso 400
Usually F8 or F16
tripod
Canon speedlite flash at a 45 degree angle, with cheap diffuser.
Some creative editing for lighting.
Because of the 18 megpixel resolution, most were cropped at 50%
Regards, Bill
Re: Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) progression fro
This is really outstanding, thanks. I stared at each photo for a long time.
- BillMcGighan
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Re: Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) progression fro
Thanks Justin,
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Hope all is well with you and yours.
I do that allot with sun!I stared at each photo for a long time.
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Re: Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) progression fro
Wonderful images, Bill! Thank you!
- BillMcGighan
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- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
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Re: Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) progression fro
Thanks, Tamara,
Hope you and Ray are doing great, especially after the past few years of active weather systems.
Now you need to to do a similar progression of Rainbow Snakes!
Hope you and Ray are doing great, especially after the past few years of active weather systems.
Now you need to to do a similar progression of Rainbow Snakes!
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Re: Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) progression fro
Way above my pay grade. That's a job for the Louisiana guys. They have got the rainbow snake mojo going on in a big way.Now you need to to do a similar progression of Rainbow Snakes!