Jefferson Salamamders 2 [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]

Jefferson Salamander [Ambystoma jeffersonianum] 2

Please remember while out herping in Pennsylvania you need to have a current fishing license and please please remember to follow decontamination procedures as not to spread germs,diseases and unwanted fungus to these important areas!If you not willing do follow these procedures,you should not be out!I personally always wear protective gloves [Nitrile],even if I don't handle salamanders and I do try to never touch them.I also spray myself [boots,waders,gloves,net,photographic tank...] with a chlorhexidine solution.
[Chlorhexidine, is a disinfectant and antiseptic that is used for skin disinfection]

This video was made 2 years ago in late February showing a Male Jefferson Salamander right after ice out. There were already several egg masses found as ovipositing was well underway, even under the ice. Just a reminder to me, that it won't be too long now! As it has been documented that Jefferson have been know to be at breeding sites as early as late December. Pa. 2020 [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]

Looking back on our summer trip to Northern New Hampshire, I had visited a pool formed in an old logging road and a spring. The last time I was at this remote location it was fall and there were a great many tiny larvae and like many locations in that area, they were nowwhere near ready to metamorphose to land. I concluded that maybe they take two years to complete metamorphosis [I have seen this here in Pa. at a spring fed pool with Spotted]. I was hopeful when getting to the pool this year that I would see larger examples of larvae, but just like in 2017, only very tiny larvae and even eggs with embryos and it was July 7. I believe these to be Spotted [Ambystoma maculatum]. But here in Pa. Spotted hatch with developed forelimbs and I documented this year that Jefferson hatch with their forelimbs not developed only little post where the limbs will be. You can see on these hatched larvae the forelimbs are under developed. Perhaps the hatched ones are Jefferson and ones still in the eggs are Spotted [notice that eggs are full of algae, unique to Spotted], notice too the large gap between the inner and outer egg membrane in picture 5 [a good indicator of Spotted eggs]. I did see a number of larvae and embryos with a black circle around their eyes, something that I have never witnessed before and cannot say what it is. I think it is interesting to see the large balancer on the left side of larva's head 2 & 3 compared to the right side, I have seen this a lot in many species of larvae. I have read that salamanders are pool specific, meaning that they use the same pools from year to year. So my guess is that they were using this wet area long before the logging road was put in many years ago. Or because of the water pooling in the ruts, did this offer a new area for salamanders and frogs to breed. The things that I like to ponder and think about, and it's okay to never really know the mysteries of amphibians and their lives deep in the forest.

A 4 week old Jefferson Salamander larva [Ambystoma jeffersonianum] shown with a one week old Spotted Salamander larva [Ambystoma maculatum]. Notice the tiny digits of the fore toes are becoming more pronounced on the Spotted, but the balancers are still in place and being used to help the larva in locomotion till the forelimbs become more developed and stronger. Notice the broad head of the Jefferson and those long toes a sure sign of Jefferson, also notice the hind limbs are just starting to make an appearance. North Central, Pa. 5-20-22

6 week old Jefferson salamander larvae [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]. Central, Pa. 5-14-22

6 week old Jefferson Salamander larva.

6 week old Jefferson Salamander larva [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]. These are very fast growing larvae, more so than the other two Ambystoma larvae that I am familiar with [A. opacum & A. maculatum]. Notice the light green coloration and heavier, chunkier appearance and broad head in proportion to the body. I also find that they don't have the noticeable row of spots low on the side as Spotted do at this time and certainly no where near the spots Marbled would have, and also those long toes are a sure sign of Jefferson. Central, Pa. 5-14-22

Video showing the heart functioning in a Jefferson Larva [Ambystoma jeffersomianum].

Newly hatched Jefferson larvae [Ambystoma jeffersonianum] , pictures above and below. Notice the large balancers between the eye and gills. Balancers are used for balance and locomotion until the forelimbs become strong enough to navigate in the water. In the case of Jefferson larvae, they hatch without forelimbs at all, only a tiny post in back of the gills along the side, shows where they will be in time. Interestingly A. opacum hatch with forelimbs fully developed.

These Jefferson Salamander [Ambystoma jeffersonianum] embryos are approximately 8 weeks old having been laid in late March. The embryos\larvae are soon ready to hatch, even having witness several already outside the egg membrane. Notice the forelimbs are not fully developed [appearing as tiny post in back of the gills and along the side of the larva], curiously Jefferson are the only Ambystoma larvae that I am familiar with that hatches without developed forelimbs, taking several weeks to develop after hatching. They seem to depend on their balancers [seen as tiny projections between the eyes and gills in the last two pictures] for locomotion, more so than their cousin's the Marbled or Spotted, who hatch with fully developed forelimbs. I have also noticed that Jefferson larvae's eyes do not seem to be fully developed when hatching occurs. Undisclosed location, 4-25-22

Spotted and Jefferson egg masses. The Spotted are the opaque ones at the beginning and end. The Jefferson are ready to hatch at anytime, in fact I witnessed some larvae out of the eggs and around the egg masses. Jefferson almost always lay their eggs sooner than Spotted, even laying them under the ice covered pools in some instances. North Central, Pa. 4-25-22

Jefferson eggs and embryos [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]. These embryos will be hatching into larvae within week. Notice too the many Caddis Fly Nymphs in their houses made of leaf bits and tiny stones on the bottom, all of this in a sea of mosquito larvae. North Central, Pa. 4-25-22. There is a lot of wonderful life that depends on these seasonal vernal pools.

The very last time that I was able to see this beautiful leucistic Jefferson larva in 2019 [Above and Below] [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]. It was mid July and the vernal pool was very low and in a week it would be dried up and completely gone in the summer heat. What you don't see in this picture is the left forearm was completely missing, having been recently wrenched off by an unknown predator [most likely another larvae]. As with it's lost it's right hind limb earlier, it will have the ability to regenerate a new one. You can see the gills are all but gone having been absorbed into the larva, the lungs have developed for breathing air on land and the once aquatic tail is taking on the shape more suited to a life on land and notice to the prominent eye brows that have developed for protecting the eyes as it digs in the earth looking for prey, such as worms and grubs and anything else it might happen upon. Also the gular fold is now completely developed across the lower throat, another sign it's time in the water has come to an end. It was a real privilege being able to watch this larva grow since first being spotted in May. A true wonder of nature that I felt fortunate to see and witness it's growth and facing all the dangers of life in a vernal pool, It was sad to say good bye, but I wished it well on it's journey with all the hazards it will face, and hope that we meet again someday.

The leucistic Jefferson Salamander larva, much larger now. With a larva of normal coloration. July 2019. [ Ambystoma jeffersonianum]

Close up of the leucistic Jefferson [Ambystoma jeffersonianum] larva from a few years ago. I think the dainty fore toes are so beautiful and elegant.

A beautiful leucistic Jefferson Salamander larva from 2019 [ Ambystoma jeffersonianum]. Notice the right hind limb, toes and tail are in the process of regeneration after have been lost most likely due to other larvae.

The extra long toes, faint spots, light green coloration and "tubby" appearance give away these beautiful Jefferson Salamander larvae's ID. 5-31-21. At only 6 weeks old and already at 1 1/2 inches or 38.1 mm in length, Jefferson larvae really grow fast and this particular larva is in the process of regenerating its lost tail, most likely due to another larvae. [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]

A beautiful female Jefferson Salamander [Ambystoma jeffersonianum].Pa.3-30-21

From top to bottom,4 week old Spotted Salamander larva [Ambystoma maculatum],32 week old Marbled Salamander larva [Ambystoma opacum],8 week old Jefferson Salamander Larva [Ambystoma jeffersonianum].Pa.6-10-20

The difference between Jefferson Salamander eggs and egg masses [Ambystoma jeffersonianum] first two pictures.And Spotted Salamander eggs and egg masses [Ambystoma maculatum] the last two pictures.Notice on the Jefferson eggs,the embryo fills up most of the inner envelope,on the Spotted eggs the embryo fills a lot less of the inner envelope.The eggs masses of the Jefferson Salamander tend to be smaller with fewer eggs than that of the Spotted.It should also be noted that Blue-Spotted eggs and egg masses are very similar to that of the Jefferson.

Beautiful Fairy Shrimp and Jefferson Salamander eggs.Pa.3-30-21.If you watch closely at the 20 second mark you can see a Jefferson Salamander scurrying away into the leaf litter in the far back left.Pa.3-29-21

Gravid [full of eggs] female Jefferson Salamanders [Ambystoma jeffersonianum].Pa.3-13-21

Gravid [full of eggs] female Jefferson Salamanders [Ambystoma jeffersonianum].Pa.3-13-21.Notice in the last two pictures she is cleansing her left eye.

Gravid [full of eggs] female Jefferson Salamanders [Ambystoma jeffersonianum].Pa.3-13-21

Two different gravid [full of eggs] female Jefferson Salamanders [Ambystoma jeffersonianum].Pa.3-13-21

Female Jefferson Salamander [Ambystoma jeffersonianum].Pa.3-13-21

These are three different Ambystoma embryos developing inside their eggs.First is a Jefferson,from left to right,[Ambystoma jeffersonianum].The second is Spotted [Ambystoma maculatum].The third is Marbled [Ambystoma opacum].Spotted and Jefferson lay their eggs in late winter and spring in water in eggs masses,whereas Marbled lay their eggs in fall on land in nests.Notice the algae inside the eggs of the Jefferson and Spotted.The following is from Valerie Ross "Spotted Salamanders embryos,a recent study found,have algae living inside their cells.While scientists have long known that the two species are symbiotic,each helping the other to survive,new findings show that the arrangement is more intimate than previously thought.It is the first such organism-within cell partnership-known as endosymbiosis-ever observed in vertebrates."! have also now read that the they are finding the algae living inside the adult Spotted salamanders cells as well!I think this is all very exciting,two organisms growing and living together as one,and depending on each other to survive.I have observed for many years and at different locations algae also inside the eggs of Jefferson's,as seen in the first picture.I have not read or heard of this symbiotic relationship happening in Jefferson Salamanders,but from my own observation believe it to be occurring in Jefferson's as well.

Three Ambystoma larvae species.Top,maculatum [Spotted].Middle,jeffersonianum [Jefferson].Bottom,opacum [Marbled].Pa.6-4-20

After many years of trying to get all three Ambystoma species of larvae [the three in our area,Pa.] in my photographic tank,I was finally rewarded last week.It was very exciting!I only know of two places that have all three,and it finally all came together.Top is maculatum [Spotted],about 4 weeks old,notice the line or strip from the eye to the nose,only seen at this earlier age.Middle opacum [Marbled],hatched last fall and is approximately 32 weeks old.Notice the grey,pigmented chin,only marbled larvae have this.Also notice metamorphosis to land is starting to be seen as the larva is losing it's aquatic tail and starting to take on the shape it will have for the rest of its life.Bottom is jeffersonianum [Jefferson],at 8 weeks old.At this age Jefferson are by far the heaviest of all larvae and again at this age they are thicker and more rounded and also notice the long fore toes a sure sign of Jefferson [In time the rear toes will be just as long].They also have a more aqua color appearance than either the Marbled or Spotted.They also have a more distinct line that separates the white of its belly and the coloring on their sides,found above their row of faint spots.Marbled always have the brighter row of spots followed by the Spotted and then by the Jefferson,which can be very faint.The reason the Jefferson and the Marbled are so close to the same size even though the age difference is so great is partly due to the fact that the Marbled larva body is changing due to metamorphosis and will be leaving the water to a life on land within the next few weeks,as stated before in the tail and also the body gets thinner as do all larvae at that time [metamorphosis].Marbled and Spotted larvae can be very hard to tell apart,but Marbled are almost always darker and as stated earlier have that grey,pigmented chin,whereas Spotteds do not.Anoth good way to tell is the time of year.Marbled having hatched the previous fall are always larger.Keep in mind that Spotted larvae on rare instances will over winter and metamorphosis the following year.Again look for the grey chin of Marbled,Spotted larvae will have a clean,white chin.Pa.6-4-20

A comparison picture of two beautiful leucistic Ambystoma larvae that I was fortunate to find in 2018 and 2019 respectively.Jefferson [Ambystoma jeffersonianum] top picture and Marbled [Ambystoma opacum] bottom picture."Leucism is a condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation of the skin,hair,scales or cuticle,but not the eyes."Please notice the beautiful "gold dust" coloration in the gills of the Marbled larva.Also please notice that right hind toes of the Jefferson larva are in the process of regenerating after being lost-most likely another from another larva