Vernal Pool Life

It has been many years since the amphibians in this pool have had enough time and water to metamorphose to land, this pool will be dry in another week, two at the most. It is full of tapoles and hundreds of Spotted and Marbled salamander larvae. The Marbled would have normally left their pools by this time, but these in this pool did not hatch until early March due to the eggs not becoming inundated with water last fall [water is necessary for the eggs to hatch]. Drought in the summer and fall followed by drought the following spring and dry winters inbetween, spell doom for these vernal pools. We have had some rain this spring but due to the many years of drought any moisture is quickly absorbed. It has been many years since this pools creatures have been able to complete their life cycle. What is in store for their future is very uncertain at best. It is a hard and helpless feeling to witness, larvae dying in the hot summer sun. But these amphibians have very little chance again this year and hope for better years ahead. Sadly I have witnessed this scenario much too often in recent years, one has to wonder if and when, or if ever it will end. But every year the amphibians show up again at their home pools to try again, what perseverance they must have together with a long life just might see these creatures through. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-24-26

Another year and another drought in Pennsylvania. This vernal pool in Perry County is down 5 feet since last visited in March, it is the fifth year in a row that the salamander larvae will have to struggle to have enough time to complete metamorphosis to land. This pool is unique in that it is home to three Ambystoma species, Jefferson [jeffersonianum], Spotted [maculatum], and Marbled [opacum]. The Jefferson and Spotted will perish again this year unless some major rain occurs and soon. The Marbled having hatched over winter stand a good chance of achieving metamorphosis having a good head start on growth to both the Spotted and Jefferson, both of which having hatched in the spring. It is a hard thing to witness, the dying of larvae in the hot sun, struggling to find water and the life it holds. I am always reminded by folks "that is nature", I don't hold to that idea as we humans have so much to do, sadly, with our environment today. We need, for all life, is a good constant supply of moisture. Last years drought started in late summer and continued through fall and winter, and a 10 inch snow in winter means very little to the water in the ground we desperately need. If I could I would help all of nature everywhere, like the larvae struggling to survive every year. We should all do our part whenever we can and wherever ever we can. We can not depend on the goverment both state and federal [or lack there of] to help the environment, it is up to us the citizen conservationist to get the job done. This years salamander larvae sadly will die in many areas but you can be sure that with their perseverance to survive, they will be back next year to try again, and this struggle to live and survive is in all of nature everywhere. Let this be a lesson to us all, to be better and kinder to all the nature all around us that just wants to continue and live, just like everyone of us does. And isn't that the sad disconnect, we fail to realize we are just apart of nature too! 5-8-26

This 8 week old Jefferson Salamander larva had a close call with an unknown predator that nearly severed its tail, rigth behind its newly emerged hind limbs [looking like little paddles]. It seems none the worst for ware as a new tail will soon replace the old one thanks to the amazing regeneration ability of salamander larvae. Pa. 5-8-26 [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]

A Caddis Fly larva [Trichoptera] has made a sturdy home of sticks and stones. Perry County, Pa. 5-8-26

Water Beetle larvae [Dytiscidae]. Perry County, Pa. 5-8-26. Dytiscidae lavae are voracious eaters attacking everything for small fish to tadpoles and salamander larvae.

Female Eastern Fairy Shrimp showing eggs in her brood pouch [Eubranchipus vernalis]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-12-26

This Diving Beetle shown collecting air for breathing underwater [you can see a bubble attached to the back of the beetle]. An incredible adaptation, an insect carrying its own air supply to forage underwater. Tioga County, Pa. 4-12-26

This Caddis fly larva has built its home from leaves [you can see the leaf veins], you can see its head poking out of the end of its home. [Trichoptera] Tioga County, Pa. 4-12-26

Female Eastern Fairy Shrimp with developing eggs in her brood pouch. [Eubranchipus vernalis]. An important food source for many vernal pool creatures including salamander larvae.

A comparison between salamander eggs. Jefferson on the right and Spotted on the left. Notice how the embryo fills most of the egg in the Jefferson compared to the Spotted [Ambystoma jeffersonianum & maculatum]. Tioga County, Pa. 3-31-26

A limb used by two different salamanders to deposit their eggs, the egg mass on the right are Jefferson [Ambystoma jeffersonianum] with the embryos developing and the egg masses on the left are Spotted [Ambystoma maculatum] a milky color [not always present]. In the background are more Jefferson, all in a sea of Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernals] the ones with a white spots are females eggs in their brood pouches. Tioga County, Pa. 3-31-26

These two pictures show the embryo development of Spotted Salamander eggs. The embryo on the left is approximately 9 days old and is ready to "uncurl" the embryo on the right being ten days old and has "uncurled" and is taking on more of the shape of the larva it will become. The dark area inside the circle is where the right eye will be and the bottom of the embryo will eventually be the tail area. Notice the green algae inside the egg showing the endosymbiotic relationship between the Spotted Salamander and the algae [called Oophila amblystomatis], the first such relationship observed in vertebrates. The algae lives inside the cells of the salamander digestive tract, and each depends on one another. The algae providing oxygen for the embryos to grow and the salamander cells in turn provide nitrogen for the algae and a place to live. [Ambystoma maculatum]

Marbled Salamander Larva [Ambystoma opacum] with a stomach full of Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis]. Pa. 3-14-26

Leucistic [lacking pigment, but not albino] Wood Frog Tadpole [Lithobates sylvaticus]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-5-25

A beautiful Spotted Salamander larva from an old coal test hole. They are hard to see but the hind limbs are just starting to make an appearance. Also notice the large heart in the throat. [Ambystoma maculatum]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 6-5-25

This vernal pool in Schuylkill County in an old test hole that was used for finding coal long ago. I am happy to report that it is now full of cool, clear, clean water, and is being used by many amphibians, including Wood Frog tadpoles and Spotted salamander larvae. Also many different Dragonflies were observed. Since first discovering this pool three years ago, this is the first year of having sufficient rain fall for the many creatures using it, to grow, and and I am sure be able to complete their life cycle and metamorphosis to land creatures. What a little rain can mean to so many creatures and the difference it can make for so many animals. It is easy to drive by these coal regions and believe that their nothing to be dicovered in their wet areas. How wrong can a person be, I will be paying more attention to these areas in the future, and it makes one wonder just how resilient these tiny creature and nature can be! Pa. 6-5-25

Jefferson Salamander larva with Spotted Salamander larva [smaller of the two] [Ambystoma jeffersonianum & maculatum]. 5-24-25

Mosquito Larva [Culicidea]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-13-25

Female Eastern Fairy Shrimp showing eggs in her brood pouch [Eubranchipus vernalis]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-13-25

Male Eastern Red Spotted Newt [Notophthalmus virides]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-13-25 [eyeing up a Fairy Shrimp!]. Notice thenuptial pads, the black areas under the back legs and tips of the toes, used durning mating, to grasp the the female.

Water Scavenger Beetle [Hydrophilidae].Female Eastern Fairy Shrimp, eggs in her brood pouch [Eubranchipus vernalis] 18 day old Jefferson Salamander embryo [Ambystoma jeffersonianum].

18 day old Jefferson Salamander embryos. [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]

Green Sedge Caddisfly larva [Rhyacophila fuscula] and its house made of sticks. They are an amazing vernal pool predator, having once observed a large Green Sedge Caddisfly larva [too large for a house] eating a Marbled Salamander larva alive. Tioga County, Pa. 4-13-24 [above & below]

Water Scavenger Beetle [Hydrophilidae], Tioga County, Pa. 4-13-25. Notice the air bubble that the beetle carries for breathing under water.

These two pictures show developing embryos of the Jeffferson Salamander, at stage 22 of the "Embryonic Stage" and approximately 18 days old. These show and over head view and side view, you can see a well developed spine, gills and a circular area where the eyes will be. Notice also the eggs have a greenish algae growing inside the egg, scientist have yet to discover the same relationship that occurs in Spotted Salamanders, where the algae is found inside the cells of not only embryos but adult salamanders as well, know as a endosymbiotic relationship it is the first documented relationship ever observed in vertebrates. "The embyros need oxygen which the algae produces and in turn the algae needs lots of nitrogen and a place to stay, and salamander cells meet both criteria"[from 80beats]. I feel it is only a matter of time before such a relationship is discovered in Jefferson Salamanders as well, after all the algae is living inside the egg for a reason. Tioga County, Pa. 4-13-25 [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]

This all but dried up pool in Tioga County, shows just how dry conditions were in late March, but still you can find Spotted and Jefferson salamander eggs in every pool and small puddle that is left, trying their best continue their kind. If no rain has occured this pool and others are surely gone by now and they will have to wait another year to try again. Sadly this has been a yearly occurrence for several years now. Tioga County, Pa. 3-28-25

Spotted and Jefferson Salamander eggs [at first, on the same branch, after that all Jefferson] strung like lights for the holidays. Tioga County, Pa. 3-28-25 [Ambystoma maculatum & jeffersonianum]

Jefferson Salamander embyro at the start of stage 2 [12 hours old] dividing the embryo into two equal cells. 3-28-25 [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]

These eggs in a coal test, show the different types of egg clusters from Spotted Salamanders. The white, opaque egg cluster that some female salamanders produce, the cause of which is unknown, are very much viable and will produce hatched larvae in four to seven weeks. Schuylkill County, Pa. 3-18-25 [Ambystoma maculatum]

Jefferson Salamander eggs [left] Spotted Salamander eggs [right]. Found on the same small stick. 3-29-25 Ambystoma jeffersonianum & maculatum. Notice how the embryo [dark area of the egg] fills the egg capsule almost completely in the Jefferson while the Spotted has a more pronouced space between the embryo and the outside of the egg.

Marbled Salamander larvae [Ambystoma opacum] and Female Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis] notice her brood pouch has no eggs. Dauphin County, Pa. 3-14-25

Spotted Salamander spermatophores and Fairy Shrimp. Dauphin County, Pa. 3-14-25

One week old Marbled Salamander larva [Ambystoma opacum]. Pa. 12-19-24. Now completely locked under a thick layer ice, but safe and unharmed, just as long as the ice does not completely freeze to the bottom, and there are open pockets of water under the ice for this and other larvae to swim and to be able to feed. No matter the air temperature the water always has an abundance tiny copepods and other crustaceans for them to feed on. It is imperative that these and many other creatures get more mositure of any kind [snow, sleet or rain] and soon, in order for them to survive to adulthood. The large red area shown in the throat is the heart.

Copepods with Marbled Salamader larvae [Ambystoma opacum]. On a December day with temperatures in the 30's and water temeratures not much higher, this vernal pool was alive with activity. 10's of thousands of Copepods were swarming in the water, some joined in mating, and providing a necessary food source for Marbled Larvae, who were observed gorging themselves on these tiny crustaceans. Something that I had never witnessed before, and their stomachs were packed full of these amazing creatures as you can see, which is a good for the larvae as there is plenty of winter and cold ahead. ThIs pool was very active indeed! Dauphin County, Pa. 12-19-24

After the previous weeks rains I thought I would check on a vernal pool where a great many Marbled salamanders were seen heading to the pool for breeding on a rainy night back on September 8. Previous trips, including just one week before, showed a dry pool and thinking there would be no larvae this season, was ecstatic to find the pool now 2\3 full. Carefully looking in the leaf litter along the edges of the pool found 3 larvae, two of which I put in my photographic tank. I was simply overjoyed! These eggs and embryos remained viable through 3 months of drought and unusually early cold weather. The tank was also alive with fresh water Amphipods, looking like tiny shrimp and some locked together mating, the larvae were actively eating these tiny creatures in the tank. Their stomachs were full of these Amphipods, another food source I was unaware of. This was the latest, in this pool, that I have known larvae to hatch successfully and what a great Christmas present it was! I should have known better than to underestimate nature and the determination of these tiny eggs and embryos inside just waiting for rain to cover them so the tiny larvae could be released and start their long journey towards becoming adult Marbled Salamanders. And you can bet I will be there to watch this amazing transformation every step of the way. So lets hope for continued rain and moisture. Pa. 12-19-24

Checking a vernal pool yesterday, and concerned adout the drought that we are having and its effects on Marbled Salamander nest and eggs, I was happy to see three nest of eggs. Two nest were unattended and one had this beautiful female with her eggs, there was another unattended clutch of eggs to the right of her head. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that under most logs it was nice and damp. The larger logs in this pool, that no doubt have a great many other females with eggs, were not disturbed [larger logs are never disturbed, as there is too much danger of bringing harm to these beautiful creatures and their eggs]. Remembering unattended eggs are fine to develop on their own, and counting the days since last being at this pool in early September, these eggs and embryos will almost certainly have reached the hatching stage. All they need is a lot of rain so they [the eggs] become inundated with water which releases an enzyme that dissolves the eggs and hatching can occur. The amazing fall reproduction strategy of Ambystoma opacum. Pa. 10-29-24

Jefferson Salamander embryos on the left and Spotted Salamander embryos on the right, in the middle are Jefferson embryos that did not develop. Tioga County. Pa. 4-6-24

Female Eastern Fairy Shrimp showing eggs developing in her brood pouch. [Eubranchipus vernalis]. Tioga County, Pa. 3-16-24

Female Eastern Fairy Shrimp showing eggs developing in her brood pouch. [Eubranchipus vernalis]

Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis].

The beauty of Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis].

The beauty of Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis]. As we have seen a great food source for Marbled Salamander larvae

Marbled larva [Ambystoma opacum] showing stomach full of Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis].

Look close to see a Marbled Larva [Ambystoma opacum] in a sea of newly hatched Fairy Shrimp. When Fairy Shrimp first hatch they tend to be this redish color, All the Marbled Larvae that I photographed this day in my photographic tank, their stomachs were swollen red with Fairy Shrimp [Eastern Fairy Shrimp Eubranchipus vernalis]. Video taken by Hunter Kauffman

Female Eastern Fariy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis] with developing eggs in her brood pouch. Pa. 2-6-24

This is the largest Jefferson Salamander that I have ever come across, at 8 inches, a female with a tail as long as her body. Pa. 2-6-24

This week I visited one of only a few vernal pools that I am aware of that has three different Ambystoma species using it for breeding purposes, Jefferson, Marbled and Spotted. The Jefferson were seen as their breeding season has begun, and the Spotted will no doubt be there also in the coming weeks. The Marbled having laid eggs last fall has the jump on the other two species, but I was struck how small these larvae were. Looking like they had only hatched less than a month ago, you can clearly see they still have what is left of their balancers on either side of their heads. Larvae growth does slow down in winter, but I am guessing these didn't hatch until the heavy rains in January filled this pool enough for hatching to take place. Pa. 2-6-24

Female Jefferson Salamander [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]. Pa. 2-6-24

Predaceous Diving Beetle [Dytiscidea]. Coos County, N.H. [above and below]

Mayfly Nymph showing their beautiful gills. Coos County, N.H.

These 30 week old Marbled larvae show all the signs that metamorphosis to land is well under way. The gular fold across the neck and and the more pronounced eye sockets are all more suited to a life on land. Within the month the gills will all but disappear and the larvae will leave their water home to a life on land, never to return to the water again. Pa. 5-19-23 [Ambystoma opacum]

One of the most handsome Marbled larva I have ever photographed. From the mottling on the side of the face to the gold dust flaking on the gills, and an over all beautiful lighter coloration than most Marbled larvae. In another month this 24 week old larva and others like it will be ready to metamorphosis and leave their watery home to a life on land. Pa. 5-9-23

Just a few weeks ago this pool was all but dried up and I feared the worst for the Salamander larvae in it, there are Jefferson, Spotted and Marbled here. After some recent rains the pool is now just about full and larvae were seen everywhere, rain just in the nick of time, what a wonderful sight! Pa. 5-9-23

It is wonderful to get out in nature and learn something new and I have learned a lot on this day. I have always thought that the coal region should be explored for amphibians, to see if these areas, once ravaged and dug, striped for coal long ago, not to mention the damage done to streams and water, are now possibly being used and holding populations of amphibians. I have noticed most of "coal holes" have water at the bottom of these holes or coal stripping's, and I have been very curious about these places. So yesterday was the start of much overdue exploring that I hope to do of these now reclaimed and grown over lands in my own back yard of Schuylkill County. At my very first stop at what was once a "test hole" for coal, I was very excited [I could not believe my eyes!] to see the water teaming with life, from tadpoles to Spotted Salamander egg masses. Most of the egg masses were out of water at this pool, as it was down 4 to 5 feet, thinking these eggs were no longer viable, again I leaned something new, even the egg masses far from water and looking very dried out, were still very much viable and alive as the embryos were seen moving inside the eggs. I rescued all the egg masses that I could find by putting them back in the water and I am sure they have hatched as they were fully developed. So lesson learned, egg masses out of water are not always dead, even eggs out of water for extended periods. Also what a wonderful discovered to find these coal mined lands can and are being used by amphibians, and to find out how resilient and adaptable these creature can be. I did see other deeper coal holes that I could never possibly reach also full of Spotted Salamander eggs and frogs of all kinds [unfortunately tires too]. So when driving through these regions and you think like I did, that there isn't any chance of these places and pools at the bottom of old abandoned mines and coal holes, holding life, think again! My wonder and admiration and respect for the natural world to over come all the damage that mankind has done and continues to do to our planet, is truly remarkable! Schuylkill County, Pa. 4-27-23

Another spring and another bad situation developing here in Pennsylvania. Very little spring rain and a winter with next to no snow leads to devastation like this. This is one of the few vernal pools that I know that contain Marbled, Jefferson, and Spotted larvae. In the small pools there are many large Marbled larvae, large for this time of year having hatched only some 12 weeks ago in early December. But remembering larvae metamorphosis speeds up when pools start to dry up and oxygen levels drop. They are developing fast and their lungs are functioning as they are coming to surface for frequent gulps of air, you can see their tiny ripples on the surface of the drying pools. They, the Marbled, stand a chance of completing their metamorphosis to land but the newly hatch Jefferson and Spotted [egg masses with embryos exposed to the air, [you could see the ready to hatch embryos moving inside their eggs] have no chance of surviving this year once again, unfortunately. Pa. 4-24-23

Male Red-Spotted Newt [Notophthalmus viridescens]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-3-23. Juvenile Red Spotted Newts spend up to five years on land and and are a orange color, this is called the eft stage. After five years they turn a brown color and enter pools never to return to the land again.

Female Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis] Showing eggs in her brood pouch. Tioga County, Pa. 4-3-23

Eye of the Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-3-23. I like the way the left eye reflects in surface above.

Unknown Diving Beatle from Tioga County, Pa. 4-3-23. Notice the pocket of air he carries on his back for breathing underwater, amazing! [Dytiscus]

This Spotted Salamander embryo is approximately 14 says old now, in the embryonic stage and and looking from the top you can clearly see gill growth, eye development [even the outline of the eye socket or brow is becoming more pronounced and can be seen], the very beginnings of where balancers will be on the head. The small bud along the side further down the side from the gills is where the forelimb will be located. Pa. 4-3-23 [Ambystoma maculatum]

These Jefferson Salamander embryos are approximately 10 days old. You can see spin development and even ribs coming off the spin [egg on the right]. You can also notice see the head start to take shape and if you look close at the egg in the center you can just start to see the eyes. A truly remarkable process to witness. Pa. 4-3-23 [Ambystoma jeffersonianum]

Female Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis] Showing eggs in her brood pouch. Pa. 3-6-23. Fairy shrimp eggs are laid in vernal pools, but the eggs must fully dry out and then be inundate by water in order to hatch.

Female Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis], showing eggs in her brood pouch. Pa. 3-6-23

The elegance and beauty of Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis] . Pa. 3-6-23

A beautiful female Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis] notice her brood pouch is now full of eggs and is in constant motion [above and below], as this constant movement is a way of keeping the eggs oxygenated. Pa. 3-6-23.

Fairy Shrimp [Anostraca] with Marbled Salamander larvae.[Ambystoma opacum]. 2-10-23

Close up picture of a Fairy shrimp [Anostraca] with 10 week old Marbled salamander larva [Ambystoma opacum]. Pa. 2-10-23. You can see her brood pouch which appears empty, but if you look close you can just see her tiny eggs developing inside and it won't be too much longer that they will be more visible, as they grow in size.

10 week old Marbled Salamander larva [Ambystoma opacum] with Fairy Shrimp [Anostraca]. Pa. 2-10-23

Notice this Fairy Shrimp is carrying eggs in her brood pouch. Fairy Shrimp [Anostraca] are an important part of a healthy vernal pool ecosystem. Pa.. "They are crustaceans that live only in vernal pools and they filter bacteria, phytoplankton, protozoans and detritus. Female Fairy Shrimp produce several broods of encysted eggs which must dry and be re-submerged before they will hatch. The drought and cold resistant cyst can withstand ingestion by animals, may be blown by wind from a dry pool." From the excellent "Field Guide to the animals of Vernal pools by Leo P. Kenny And Matthew R. Burne. I always carry a copy with me in the field. Available through the Massachusetts Division of Fishers & Wildlife.

The amazing Fairy Shrimp [Anostraca]. Pa. 2-10-23. An excellent food source for many vernal pool creatures, including salamander larvae.