Marbled Salamander 3 [Ambystoma opacum]

Marbled Salamander [Ambystoma opacum] 3

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]

Four week old Marbled Salamander [Ambystoma opacum] Larva. Pa. 1-4-23

At just 1/2 inch [12.7 mm] these Marbled Salamander larvae in this particular pool have just hatched in the last two weeks as evident by not only their size but still having balancers on the sides of their heads. Looking back these larvae hatched sometime in late December as the eggs and embryos finally were inundated by water allowing the embryos to escape their eggs and hatch. I believe this to be the best picture that I have ever taken showing exactly where the balancers exit the side of the head. [Ambystoma opacum] Pa. 1-4-23. Balancers are paired rod like projections on the sides of newly hatched larvae heads that assist in helping the larvae in maintaining their balance and also assist in keeping them from sinking until their forelimbs become strong enough for locomotion through their new watery home. After a couple of weeks they are no longer needed and are absorbed back into their bodies. I have seen balancers on newly hatched Jefferson and Spotted larvae and they are much more pronounced then those found on Marbled, perhaps due to the fact that Marbled hatch with much more developed forelimbs then either Spotted or Jefferson larvae.

Four week old Marbled Salamander [Ambystoma opacum] larvae. Pa. 12-22-22. Having hatched sometime in late November.

Four week old Marbled Salamander [Ambystoma opacum] larvae. Pa. 12-22-22. Having hatched sometime in late November. The large circular object in the throat area is the heart and notice the grey pigmented chin, the only ambystoma larvae to have this and a good way to identify opacum larvae.

Four week old Ambystoma opacum larvae. Pa. 12-22-22. Having hatched sometime in late November.

The last female Ambystoma opacum that I saw with eggs this fall [also the log she was found under], all they need now is more rain to inundate the eggs so hatching can take place. Pa. 10-22-22. This pool and soil are completely different from all other areas that I am familiar with as the soil is made up of limestone and when mixed water it turns into a thick chalky, and I believe the technical term is, mess! You do not want to be caught trying to walk around in it, as it like being stuck in clay! This pool is also used by Jefferson and Spotted salamanders, one only two places I know of that are used by all three for breeding. For some unknow reason even in years with sufficient water the Marbled larva seem to disappear before metamorphosis occurs and the Spotted and Jefferson complete metamorphosis just fine. Last year though I was very excited to see many Marbled larvae survive to reach metamorphosis.

These two beautiful female Ambystoma opacum have their nest under the rock in the foreground at the very limits of this vernal pools, what would be the water high point when full. This the first nest that I have ever seen under a rock [it had a hollowed area perfect for a nest]. Found by a friend, it was her first adult Marbled Salamanders, what a thrill it was to be with her at her first find, just to see the excitement on her face! What a great day for "Team Salamander", as we like to call ourselves ! Pa. 10-22-22

A beautifully colored male Marbled salamander from a few years ago [above and below]. Pa. 10-19-20

Female Ambystoma opacum. Pa. 9-22-22

Female Ambystoma opacum. Pa. 10-2-22

This female A. opacum certainly left an impression on me, she was the only visible salamander left at the vernal pool and it was late in the breeding season, at least in my area. Was she late to the breeding area and was in search of a male, or had she already been bred and was searching for a place to lay her eggs? We will never know her story, but she seemed out of place and lonesome to me and was definitely in search of something. I don't think that I will ever forget her. Pa. 10-2-22

Male Marbled Salamander [Ambystoma opacum]. Pa. 9-22-22

A male Ambystoma opacum on his territory waiting to intercept females, his territory was 50 to 75 yards from the vernal pool. Pa. 9-22-22

Leucistic male Marbled Salamander [Ambystoma opacum]. Pa. 9-11-22.

Leucistic male Marbled Salamander [Ambystoma opacum]. Pa. 9-11-22. "Leucism is a condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in an animal resulting in white , pale , or patchy coloration of the skin , hair, feathers , scales or cuticle, but not the eyes as in a albinism."-from Wikipedia

Male Marbled Salamander [Ambystoma opacum]. Pa. 9-22-22

A large, old beautiful male Ambystoma opacum. Pa. 9-22-22

This large, old beautifully colored male Marbled Salamander has a different strategy in the breeding season from all the other males. His territory for intercepting females isn't in a the dry vernal pool, or even around the perimeter of the pool. His territory was 50 to 75 yards away from the pool, across a dirt road, in the forest. Studies have shown that up to 40 percent of females reaching the pool have already mated with a male such as this smart old fellow. Pa. 9-22-22 [Ambystoma opacum]

Two week old Ambystoma opacum embryo, showing eye development. Pa. 10-2-22

Female Ambystoma opacum. Pa. 9-5-22

These eggs and embryos having been found on the ground at the entrance to a nest show embryos in mid development, having been ovipoist [eggs laid] at least two weeks ago and they have at least another two weeks of development to go. Notice yo can see tails, head, and eyes. I am always amazed when I see unprotected eggs like these just laying about and in full development, that they don't seem to be taken or preyed upon. There must be some sort of protection going on here such as scent enzymes to protect the eggs. Pa. 10-2-22. Ambystoma opascum are one of only two species of Ambystoma salamanders to lay their eggs on land and not in the water.

After seeing eggs on the open ground and leaf litter inside a dry vernal pool I thought it strange, but after closer examination found a small opening and the female down inside her nest with many more eggs. Not under a log as usual but having simply dug a nest in the leaf litter. Certainly one of the more unusual nest that I have found. You can just see her down inside the opening in the middle of the picture. Pa. 10-2-22 [Ambystoma opacum]

Male [top] female [below] Ambystoma opacum together. Notice the swollen cloacal region [behind the hind limbs] of the male compared to that of the female cloacal. Also notice how much heaver the female looks, as she is full of eggs. Pa. 9-5-22. Ambystoma opacum are one of only two Ambystoma species that mates and oviposits [deposits eggs] on land, and I can't help wondering if courtship has already taken place, " When paired male and female often move in a circular fashion as they mutually nudge their cloacal regions. The male eventually moves forward along the body of the female and, while undulating his tail and raising his body, deposits a spermatophore on the substrate. The female position her chin and body over the spermatophore while being led forward by the male. The female then position her cloaca over the sperm cap and picks up the seminal fluid from the top of the spermatophore. In some cases the female does not follow the male, but simply noses about until a spermatophore is found." from James W. Petranka and the wonderful book "Salamanders of the United States and Canada"

Oh the joy, the first female with nest and eggs of the fall breeding season. It was very dry under the log she chose, notice how soiled the eggs are. And I also noticed that some of the eggs were smaller than the eggs I normally have seen in the past . Pa. 10-2-22 [Ambystoma opacum]. I always find it fascinating how they carve a nest in the leaf litter and soil, they are powerful diggers even in hard packed soil.

A beautiful Female Ambystoma opacum, Pa. 9-22-22. Notice the single white, perfectly round spot on her head, I guess we will call her spot!

Female Ambystoma opacum, Pa. 9-22-22

Male Ambystoma opacum patiently waiting to intercept a female. Pa. 9-11-22. Maybe she will be impressed with his camouflage!

An incredible male leucistic Ambystoma opacum. Pa. 9-11-22

Male Marbled Salamander with its foot on a Viscid violet Cort Mushroom [Cortinarius iodes]. Pa. 9-5-22 [above & below]

After seeing around 70 males at this vernal pool on two different nights [9-5 & 9-11, both rainy nights] this is the is the first female seen at this particular pool, I ending up seeing three females and one male, again a rainy night. Pa. 9-22-22. On the two non rain nights at this pool not one salamander was observed. It would seem rain plays a key part in Ambystoma opacum breeding season, and is necessary for Marbled to become active, and there for breeding to take place.

I don't see anything! A male Ambystoma opacum has a good hiding spot. Pa. 9-11-22

Two male Ambystoma opacum crossing paths, looking for a territory to stake out and call their own in hope of intercepting a female. Pa. 9-5-22

A large male after the rain, just listen to those Katydids! In two nights I saw 70+ males at one vernal pool, I am sure some were the same. Ambystoma opacum. Pa. 9-5&11-22. Still not one female or nest seen.

Don't ever let anyone tell you that salamanders are slow! Ambystoma opacum. Pa. 9-5-22

What amazing find, a male leucistic Marbled Salamander [Ambystoma opacum]. I was struck by so many things upon seeing this beautiful creature, not only the unique coloration but the pink limbs instead of the usual black. You can see veining in the left hind limb, as the limbs almost appear translucent. I had gotten to watch a leucistic larva grow and reach metamorphosis to land in this very pool a few years ago. And I have always wondered since if he made it facing all the perils that go along with not only being a young salamander, but a salamander with such unusual markings. So I would like think this is the very same salamander, but of course there is no way to tell that, so I will just imagine it! Pa. 9-11-22

Two male Ambystoma opacum on their territories waiting to intercept females on their way to the vernal pool. Pa. 9-5-22. I never saw anything like this, 40+ males in one night!

Four male Ambystoma opacum in a steady rain. After a very long dry spell this rain really seem to stimulate them make them active, at least the males anyway. Of the 40+ Marbled Salamanders seen of this night all were males, as they are the first to arrive and stake out a one foot square territory in and near the vernal pool and wait for the females to arrive. Pa. 9-5-22

Two male Ambystoma opacum in the rain. Pa. 9-5-22. Notice the male on left has lost the tip of its tail. Notice too the vent check the two males make for just a fraction of a second, the other can be seen testing the air for scent before moving on. Very interesting interaction and behavior.

Two [above and below] uniquely patterned and beautiful male Ambystoma opacum. Pa. 9-5-22

These two male Marbled Salamanders checked each others vents for only a fraction of a second and immediately a intense battle ensued, tail slaps and pushing each other around and trying to get under one another to gain an advantage. A Very heated struggle to claim a one foot square territory outside the vernal pool in hopes of intercepting females on their way to the pool. This behavior is something that I have never witnessed before. Upon listening to the video later I could audibly hear "squeaks and barks and chirps" associated with the battle. I am not aware of salamanders making sounds and I cannot say for sure if the sounds are emanating from the salamanders or an unknown source, such as me or my cell phone. More study is definitely needed. But nevertheless to be able to capture this behavior after so many years of studying this salamander was to say the least, very overwhelming for me.. All of this was in the dark and in a driving rain. Pa. 9-5-22, 9:00 pm [Ambystoma opacum]. Note I have since learned that when salamanders become agitated they can and do make sounds such as described above, "squeaks and barks and chirps". So it is entirely possible the sounds heard in the video are in fact emanating from the salamanders.

First Marbled Salamander of the breeding season, a male in a steady rain. Pa. 9-5-22 [Ambystoma opacum]

Only a few of the 40+ males seen in the rain waiting to intercept females on their way to the vernal pool. Pa. 9-5-22 Ambystoma opacum. And this was only at one corner of the vernal pool, I did not venture further for fear of stepping on a salamander as they were everywhere underfoot. I have never witness anything remotely like Monday night! 8:00-9:30 pm