The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

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Cole Grover
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The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Cole Grover »

As the title says, I'd like to make this thread the ultimate in Ambystoma appreciation, with the goal being to see representatives of as many species, subspecies, and regional variants as possible. Please post your (preferably) field photos of terrestrial adults, neotenes/paedomorphs, larvae, and eggs from across Canada, the US, and Mexico!

-Cole

I'll get us started:

Ambystoma mavortium melanostictum (found when it was COLD one Spring) - Yellowstone County, MT
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Ambystoma mavortium melanostictum (multiple larvae found in a spring-fed cattle tank) - Sheridan County, Wyoming
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Ambystoma mavortium melanostictum (the brightest of MANY flipped under rocks) - Stillwater County, Montana

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Andy Avram
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Andy Avram »

My favorite group of salamanders, and one of my favorite herp groups in general1 I look forward to the photos.

Here is my contribution:

All the following were found in Ohio.

Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)
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Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) Image

Small-mouthed Salamander (Ambystoma texanum) Image

Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) Image

Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
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Normal and purple Spotted Salamanders
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Marbled Salamander (Ambsytoma opacum)
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Hybrids from the Kelley’s Island, Ohio. Tiger, Smallmouth, Bluespot, Jefferson and Streamside genes in the population.
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Same as above, with this one showing lots of Tiger genes.
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All the following are not from Ohio.

Arizona Tiger Salamander (Ambsytoma mavortium nebulosus) from Gunnison, Co.
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Failed to photo larvae of A.m. melanostictum in Yellowstone.


Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum) from S. Illinois.
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Also failed to photo Blue-spotted Salamander far north in Quebec. And that is it for me and Ambsytoma.

Andy
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Stohlgren
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Stohlgren »

Who doesn't love Ambystoma?

SC spotted
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GA spotted
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Crappy photo of a nearly spotless spotted from MO
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Spotted egg mass
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Spotted in egg
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Spotted just after hatching
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GA marbled
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Marbled w/ eggs
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Small marbled larva
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Large marbled larva
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Marbled metamorphs
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MO eastern tiger
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GA eastern tiger male
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GA eastern tiger female
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GA eastern tiger metamorph
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6-legged eastern tiger metamorph
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GA mole
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MO mole
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mole larva
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mole paedomorph
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SC Mabee's
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MO smallmouth
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ZantiMissKnit
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by ZantiMissKnit »

All from Massachusetts, all but the maculatum are state listed (we have only four ambystoma species here).

I am lucky enough to have found a healthy population of A. laterale not far from home.

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Blue Spotted Salamander

Last month I submitted a record to the state that documents a newly known population of A. opacum.

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Marbled Salamander

The only A. jeffersonianum I have ever seen was this scrawny one:

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Jefferson Salamander


We founds dozens of A. maculatum since late summer this year:

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Spotted Salamander
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Kyle from Carolina
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Kyle from Carolina »

Great idea for a post. You all have better quality pictures than me so I will avoid the spotteds and marbleds and just post multiple life stages of the local variety of tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium melanostictum).
Cole, your montana mavortium are awesome. Ours aren't quite as vibrant this far north.
Stohlgren, that six-legged tiger is wild. And to think the one that I found with 6 toes was wild looking.

Typical adult:
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Bright adult:
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Dark adult:
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metamorph (notice the almost reabsorbed gills):
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larva:
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eggs:
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ThatFrogGuy
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by ThatFrogGuy »

These are my favorite group of herps as well. All from Indiana (The state with the most Ambystoma!) except the obvious one.
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Jefferson's Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Jefferson's Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Jefferson's Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Jefferson's Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Smallmouth Salamander (Ambystoma texanum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Smallmouth Salamander (Ambystoma texanum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) and Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) & Jefferson's Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Ringed Salamander (Ambystoma annulatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr

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Ringed Salamander (Ambystoma annulatum) by Zach Truelock, on Flickr
Ecto Hunter
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Ecto Hunter »

All from eastern Alabama.

A. maculatum
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A. opacum
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A. talpoideum
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-Robb
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JAMAUGHN
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by JAMAUGHN »

There are not a lot of Ambystoma sp. in this area of central CA- Two species, only one of which I've seen. It's a handsome salamander, though:

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California Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma californiense by J. Maughn, on Flickr

JimM
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Tim Borski
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Tim Borski »

Cole, best thread idea ever.

:beer:

Tim
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MattSullivan
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by MattSullivan »

Until i get to see a tiger, these guys are probably my favorite ambystoma
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Blue Spotted Salamander- Ambystoma laterale by MattSullivan, on Flickr
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Owen
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Owen »

Some A. californiense

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Nshepard
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Nshepard »

Ambystoma barbouri - From the only remaining population left in West Virginia.

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Ambystoma jeffersonianum - From West Virginia

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Ambystoma mabeei - From North Carolina

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Ambystoma maculatum - Albino and normals, from West Virginia. And spermatophores.

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Ambystoma opacum - From North Carolina (with eggs) and West Virginia (without).

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Ambystoma talpoideum - From South Carolina.

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Ambystoma texanum - From West Virginia.

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Ambystoma tigrinum - From North Carolina.

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mfb
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by mfb »

Male tiger salamander and wood frogs:



Spotted salamander at breeding site:

Image
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Antonsrkn
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Antonsrkn »

Ambystoma are some of my favorite herps in general! I have a bunch of species I still need to see, but here are the ones I do have.

Ambystoma laterale are the easiest to find for me here in WI.

Some of them look like this:
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But once in a while I'll come across and exceptional individual like this!
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or this:
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Another pretty one:
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Ambystoma laterale in typical wisconsin habitat:
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Of course its cool to observe behavior, its unusual that I get to do this since these sals are hardly ever out in the open but once in a while....
One moving around in its breeding pond:
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Considering how slow and harmless they are its easy to forget that they're actually fierce little predators:
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The next most encountered species here in WI is the tiger salamander. Some years I seem to find a bunch other years I miss them.
Ambystoma tigrinum
The first one I ever found and still the biggest, found under a small log near a vernal pool along with 2 blue spotted sals.
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Possibly the prettiest one (still not that great)
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And the 3rd Ambystoma found in WI and also my favorite is the spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum. I have only seen them a few times.
In the breeding pond:
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And finally outside of WI the only other ambystoma I have seen is Ambystoma opacum:
My first one was found at Snake rd. in illinois when i went there too early one year. The marbled sal and a half frozen ringneck were all I saw but it was worth it.
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And the 2nd one I have seen was also at snake road:
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yoloherper
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by yoloherper »

Unfortunately the only ambystomid I've come across
Northwestern Salamander
Image
-Elliot
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Nick Scobel
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Nick Scobel »

Great idea! All of these specimens are from Michigan.

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Spotted Salamander by Nick Scobel, on Flickr

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Spotted Salamander by Nick Scobel, on Flickr

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Smallmouth Salamander by Nick Scobel, on Flickr

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Smallmouth Salamander by Nick Scobel, on Flickr

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Blue-spotted Salamander by Nick Scobel, on Flickr

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Blue-spotted Salamander by Nick Scobel, on Flickr

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Eastern Tiger Salamander by Nick Scobel, on Flickr

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Eastern Tiger Salamander by Nick Scobel, on Flickr
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Saunders
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Saunders »

Ambystoma talpoideum
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Mole Salamander by Saundersdrukk, on Flickr

Ambystoma maculatum
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Spotted Salamander by Saundersdrukk, on Flickr

Here is a maculatum I found sitting right next to a Pseudacris feriarum
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Spotted Salamander and Upland Chorus Frog by Saundersdrukk, on Flickr
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mike h
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by mike h »

Better Maculatum than never!

March in Middlesex County, MA
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DSCN3770 by ZantiMissKnit, on Flickr
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justinm
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by justinm »

Marbled Salamanders
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Silvery Salamander
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Spotted Salamander
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Mole Salamander
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Tiger Salamander
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Blue Spotted Salamander
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Smallmouth Salamander
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Barred Tiger Salamander
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AndyO'Connor
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by AndyO'Connor »

From Washington:
Long toed salamander Ambystoma macrodactylum

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Northwestern salamander Ambystoma gracile (first 3 shots from Oregon, last from WA)
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Difference in egg masses a couple of minutes old and a couple hours old.
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Andy Avram
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Andy Avram »

This thread is amazing so far! Loving the western Ambystoma, especially those Northwesterns.

Also, Justin, Silvery Salamanders are a triploid represented by JJL (Jefferson, Jefferson, Laterale), yours appears to have some strong Smallmouth influence going on.

Without further genetic work I don't think that one can be assigned anything other than part of the Texanum-complex.
justinm wrote: Silvery Salamander
Image
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Cole Grover
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Cole Grover »

This. Thread. Is. Awesome! Seriously sweet animals, guys. Keep 'em coming!

-Cole
troy hibbitts
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by troy hibbitts »

Tiger, Powder River Co, MT (metamorph)
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Tiger, Washington Co, UT
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Tiger, Cochise Co, AZ (metamorph) (scan from slide)
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Tiger, Lubbock Co, TX (scan from slide)
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Tiger larva, Smith Co, TX (scan from slide)
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Smallmouth, Lamar Co, TX (scan from slide)
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Smallmouth, Smith Co, TX (scan from slide)
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Moles, Leon Co, FL
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Marbled, Vernon Pa, LA
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Marbled, Jasper Co, TX
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Marbled, San Augustine Co, TX
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Marbled, McCreary Co, KY
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Marbled, Tyler Co, TX
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Spotted, Grant Pa, LA
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Spotted, San Augustine Co, TX
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Ringed, McCurtain Co, OK (scan from slide)
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Matt Buckingham
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Matt Buckingham »

Great thread. I love going through photos of Ambystoma.

Ambystoma mavortium mavortium from West Texas

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Barred Tiger Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Barred Tiger Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

Ambystoma maculatum from East Texas

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Spotted Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Spotted Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Spotted Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Spotted Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

Ambystoma opacum from East Texas

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Marbled Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Marbled Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Marbled Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Marbled Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

Ambystoma talpoideum from East Texas

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Mole Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Mole Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Mole Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

Ambystoma texanum from southeast Texas

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Smallmouth Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Smallmouth Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Smallmouth Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Smallmouth Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr

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Smallmouth Salamander by Matt Buckingham, on Flickr
John Williams
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by John Williams »

Great stuff.

Troy- you didn't raise the Smith County tiger by any chance did you? Interested to see what the east Texas specimens look like.

Matt pretty much covered the Texas Ambystoma, but here's a pretty texanum
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And one feeding on an earthworm
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Some Mole salamanders
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And a south Texas tiger
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troy hibbitts
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by troy hibbitts »

John . . . I did raise it up, it transformed, and then promptly died . . . so no pix of an adult from east Texas. I also have a S TX tiger photo around somewhere (slide) . . . but it looks like yours.

Troy
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cbernz
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by cbernz »

Herpers aren't the only non-salamanders that appreciate Ambystoma:
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This was found during an amphibian crossing survey in NJ. I was too busy to take better photos.
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Matt S.
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Matt S. »

Great idea for a post and some fantastic photogrophy so far. My picture doesn't compare but I don't think this species has been posted yet. Stohlgren, the pics of the spotted egg and larva are amazing.

Reticulated flatwoods (Ambystoma bishopi) from Florida
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Reticulated Flatwoods by smittyca21, on Flickr
Barry R
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Barry R »

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Ambystoma opacum, Southern IL.

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Ambystoma texanum, Southern IL.

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Ambystoma talpoideum, Southern IL.

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Ambystoma maculatum, Southern IN.

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Ambystoma opacum, Ky.

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Ambystoma barbouri, Southern IN.
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Cole Grover
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Cole Grover »

This is a killer thread - not many things top Ambystoma when it comes to being cool. Can we keep it going?

Here's another A. mavortium from Stillwater County, Montana - this one a little (ok, a LOT) less colorful.

Image
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TravisK
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by TravisK »

Gummy Porn overload!
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Soopaman
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Soopaman »

Some East Texas opacum from Tuesday.

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And a Houston area texanum

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Stohlgren
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Stohlgren »

Some recent shots:

A. opacum
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A. cingulatum
in situ
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Soopaman
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by Soopaman »

Couple more texanum shots from a couple hours ago:

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Image
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NatureStills
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

Post by NatureStills »

I can contribute a few here!

Here are 3 stages of development for Tarahumaran Salamander (Ambystoma rosaceum) from the Sierra de la Madera, Sonora

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One of many larvae swimming around a tinaja

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And a beautiful but invasive Western Barred Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium mavortium) photographed in Willcox, Arizona.

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dery
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Re: The Ambystoma Appreciation Thread

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