Amphibian Taxonomy and Characteristics: A Comparative Study of Salamanders and Frogs, Lab Reports of Zoology

Download Amphibian Taxonomy and Characteristics: A Comparative Study of Salamanders and Frogs and more Lab Reports Zoology in PDF only on Docsity! AMPHIBIA: TAXONOMY & NATURAL HISTORY Biol. 452 - Vertebrate Zoology BACKGROUND This is a short list of some of Washington's amphibians, along with important North American amphibian families that are found only in the Eastern U.S. The families of Eastern U.S. salamanders are of interest because of their large body size & unusual anatomy, in addition, some of these families are endemic to N. America. You will learn only the most common or readily identified species of amphibians found in Washington. Use the provided illustrations to learn the external anatomical terms used in keys & to help you identify these amphibians. The taxonomic keys were modified from a variety of sources, including: Modified from: Stebbins, R.C. 1954. Amphibians & Reptiles of Western North America. Stebbins 1985 Field Guide to Amphibians & Reptiles. & Ballinger & Lynch. 1983. How to Know Amphibians & Reptiles LAB GOALS Learn the higher taxonomic classification of amphibians: Phylum to Subclass as well as: a. Scientific names of ORDERS b. Scientific + common names of FAMILIES: In all vertebrates the family names end with -idae. c. Common names of species, as listed. Use the taxonomic key to identify specimens to the correct Family OR Species. Learn the generalized HABITAT, DISTRIBUTION & DIET data for each FAMILY. Know which amphibian families are NOT Native to Washington & are found only in the eastern U.S. Know which amphibian species have been introduced to Washington. Be able to use the taxonomic keys to identify unknown specimens. LAB PRACTICAL You will be asked to use a taxonomic key to identify a few unknown specimens. You will be asked to identify a specimen & give its scientific OR common family name. You will be asked to name the Order or Family of a specimen or to identify all members that belong to the same order or family. You will be asked to give the simplified habitat, diet or regional distribution information of any of the families on your list. You will be asked to identify the specimens by their common species names. You will NOT be asked to identify larvae to species, but know how to ID a larval salamander vs. a tadpole & recognize the differences between "stream" vs "pond" adapted larvae. You will be asked to use the amphibian key to identify an unknown specimen. You may be asked the generalized Habitat, Diet or Regional distribution data for these specimens, as noted. USEFUL READING Pough, F.H., C.M. Janis, J.B. Heiser, 2005. Vertebrate Life, 7th ed. Chapter 9: salamander families pg. 222-223, frog families on pg. 229-232 & tadpoles on pg. 247-248. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Washington Species Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture. 2008. Amphibians of Washington. University of Washington. http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/collections/herpetology/amphibians.php Slater Museum of Natural History. 2008. Amphibians & Reptiles. Biodiversity Resources, Univ. of Puget Sound. http://www.ups.edu/x5678.xml Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife. 2008. Reptiles & Amphibians of Eastern WA. http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/region1/herps.htm Washington Dept. Fish & Wildlife. 2005. Image Gallery: Amphibians. http://wdfw.wa.gov/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=6894 Washington Herp Atlas. 2005. Checklist of Washington Amphibians & Reptiles. Washington Natural Heritage Program, WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife. http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/herp/speciesmain.html Distribution Maps NatureMapping. 2008. Wildlife Distribution Maps. Washington Naturemapping Program. http://depts.washington.edu/natmap/maps/ USGS 2008. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center - National Amphibian Atlas. http://igsaceeswb00.er.usgs.gov:8080/mapserver/naa/ Washington Dept. Fish & Wildlife. 1999-2004. Washington GAP Data Products. Reptiles & Amphibians. http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/gap/herps.htm Taxonomy & Name Origins/Explanations American Museum of Natural History. 1998-2007. Amphibian Species of the World 5.0, an Online Reference. http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.php Beltzs, E. 2006. Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles & Amphibians of North America - Explained. http://ebeltz.net/herps/etymain.html CNAH 1994-2008. Standard Common & Current Scientific Names. The Academic Portal to North American Herpetology. Center for North American Herpetology. Frogs: http://www.cnah.org/nameslist.asp?id=3 Salamanders: http://www.cnah.org/nameslist.asp?id=5 Amphibian Declines & Malformations Center for Biological Informatics 2008. FrogWeb: Amphibian Declines & Malformations. National Biological Information Infrastructure. http://frogweb.nbii.gov/ Other Regional or National Resources CARCNET. 2008. Amphibian Information. Canadian Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Network. Ecological Monitoring & Assessment Network Coordinating Office, Canada. http://www.carcnet.ca/english/amphibians/amphibianinfo.html FrogWatch. 2002. Learn about the Frogs of British Columbia. NatureWatch. http://www.naturewatch.ca/english/frogwatch/learn_frogs.asp?Province=bc Humphries, J. 2006. Hellbender Homepage. Promoting the Conservation of North American Giant Salamanders. http://www.hellbenders.org/ Idaho Museum of Natural History 2002. Amphibians of Idaho, Digital Atlas. http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/bio/amph/main/amphmnfr.htm Miller, J.J. 2008. Living Underworld: A Web Project About Amphibians. http://www.livingunderworld.org/ Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. 1997. Checklist of Amphibian Species and Identification Guide: An Online Guide for the Identification of Amphibians in North America North of Mexico. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/herps/amphibid/index.htm Redpath Museum. 2006. Canadian Biodiversity Web Site. McGill University. Salamanders & Newts. http://www.canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/species/herps/caudata.htm Anura http://www.canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/species/herps/anura.htm Titus, T. 2005. Reptile & Amphibians of Oregon. Univ. of Oregon. http://www.uoregon.edu/%7Etitus/herp/ USGS, Western Ecol. Research Center. 2003. Salamanders of Coastal Southern California. San Diego Field Station. http://www.werc.usgs.gov/fieldguide/sala.htm USGS, Western Ecol. Research Center. 2003. Frogs & Toads of Coastal Southern California. San Diego Field Station. http://www.werc.usgs.gov/fieldguide/frog.htm Salamander Anatomy - upper eyelid gular region gular fold ~~~. pectoral region --- axilla belly or venter ~ axilla to groin costal fold costal groove groin or inguen pelvic region - -~ caudal groove Frog Anatomy nostril vitta or. eye mask snout - ‘mouth ~ @ngle of jaw - oxilla upper arm forearm —-- digits. (fingers) sacral hump dorsolateral fold rump Costal folds between tips of toes of adpressed limbs metatarsal tubercles Figuee 92 Intercalary cartilage of Hylidae Toe pads fi Key to Families of Amphibians in North America (Adult Specimens) 1A Mouth without jaws, one median nostril, no paired fins Agnatha 1B Jaws present, nostrils paired, paired appendages usually present 2 2A Paired pectoral & pelvic fins present; paired internal gills Gnathostome fish 2B Paired pectoral & pelvic limbs usually present; gills, if present, external 3 3A Skin may be smooth or scaly, but it is dry; no poison glands in skin Amniota 3B Skin smooth, moist with mucous; poison glands often present in skin 4 4A Annular rings around body conceal miniature scales; always legless Order Caecilia (Apoda) 4B No annular rings around body; front limbs always present 5 5A Tail present; hind legs, if present, nearly equal forelegs in length Order Caudata (Urodela) (6) 5B Tail absent in adults; hind legs longer and stronger than forelegs Order Anura (Salientia) (15) 6A Only front legs present (reduced) Sirenidae: siren 6B Both front & hind limbs present 7 7A Limbs minute; body elongate, eel-like; 1 pair of gill slits Amphiumidae: congo eel 7B Limbs more robust; body form not eel-like 8 8A Large, broad, flat head; folds of skin along limbs & sides of body Cryptobranchidae: hellbender 8B Head not greatly flattened; no skin folds on sides & limbs 9 9A External gills not present 10 9B 2-3 pairs of external gills 14 10A Costal grooves indistinct or absent; skin rough or smooth 11 10B Costal grooves distinct; skin slimy & smooth 12 11A Vomerine teeth in 2 longitudinal rows diverging posteriorly Salamandridae: newt 11B Vomerine teeth in slightly curved, transverse row broken at midline Dicamptodontidae: giant salamander 12A Nasolabial groove present; 2 large clusters of parasphenoid teeth Plethodontidae: lungless salamander 12B No nasolabial groove; no large clusters of parasphenoid teeth 13 13A Eye large, horizontal diameter usually greater than distance from anterior corner of eye to tip of snout Rhyacotritonidae: torrent salamander 13B Eye smaller, horizontal diameter less than distance from anterior corner of eye to tip of snout Ambystomatidae: mole salamander 14A Gills large, plume-like; 4 toes on hind feet; large tail fin Proteidae: mudpuppy 14B Gills small, "curly"; small or absent tail fin Dicamptodontidae: giant salamander 15A Outer (5th) digit of hind foot broadest; male with tail-like process; female with shorter anal tube Leiopelmatidae: tailed frog 15B Outer digit of hind foot not broadest; no tail-like process or anal tube 16 16A Fold of skin behind eyes, often completely across head; head narrow & pointed Microhylidae: narrow-mouthed frog 16B No fold of skin behind eyes; or, if present, associated with semitransparent eardrums; head & snout round 17 17A Body stocky, limbs short 18 17B Body slender; limbs long 19 18A Parotid glands absent or indistinct; 1 inner, metatarsal tubercle, black, sharp Pelobatidae: spadefoot toad 18B Parotid glands present, usually distinct; 2 metatarsal tubercles, less sharp Bufonidae: true toad 19A Eardrum thin, semitransparent; circular fold of skin forms large disc on venter; prominent Leptodactylidae: neotropical frog 19B Eardrum opaque; no circular fold of skin on venter 20 20A Intercalary bone/cartilage present; tips of toes may have broad adhesive pads; no dorsolateral folds Hylidae: treefrog 20B No intercalary bone/cartilage; no adhesive toe pads; dorsolateral folds in most Ranidae - true frog Key to Species of Amphibians Found in Washington State (mostly) Key used metamorphosed adults. A few species were excluded or included based on our available specimens. 1A Tail present; hind legs, if present, nearly equal forelegs in length 2 1B Tail absent in adults; hind legs longer and stronger than forelegs 14 2A No nasolabial groove; no parasphenoid teeth 3 2B Nasolabial groove present; parasphenoid teeth present 4 3A Costal grooves indistinct; vomerine teeth in 2 long rows, diverging posteriorly Rough-skinned Newt 3B Costal grooves distinct; vomerine teeth in transverse row 9 4A Tail with ring-like constriction at base Ensatina 4B Tail without basal constriction 5 5A Outermost toe on hind foot nearly as long as 4th toe; digits square tipped or expanded Arboreal Salamander (not in WA) 5B Outermost toe on hind foot much shorter than 4th toe; digits rounded or pointed 6 6A Outer toe on hind foot very short, <1/3 of length of 4th toe Larch Mountain Salamander 6B Outer toe on hind foot slightly longer, < 1/2 of length of 4th toe 7 7A Parotid glands present, usually 14 costal grooves Van Dyke’s Salamander 7B Parotid glands absent, usually 15 or more costal grooves 8 8A Usually 16 costal grooves; dorsal stripe variable in color, extends to tip of tail, stripe not encroached upon by margins of the ground color Western Red-backed Sal. 8B Usually 15 costal grooves, dorsal stripe extends onto tail but not to tip, stripe appears eroded along edges by margins of the ground color Dunn’s Salamander 9A Eye large, horizontal diameter usually greater than distance from anterior corner of eye to tip of snout, males with squarish vent Olympic Torrent Salamander 9B Eye smaller, horizontal diameter less than distance from anterior corner of eye to tip of snout 10 10A Prominent parotid glands & glandular ridge on top of tail Northwestern Salamander 10B No parotid glands or glandular ridge on tail 11 11A Longest toe on hind foot longer than sole of foot, mid-dorsal stripe or blotches on back Long-toed Salamander 11B Longest toe of hind foot shorter than sole of hind foot, no dorsal stripe 12 12A A pair of tubercles on the underside of the feet Tiger Salamander 12B No tubercles on underside of the feet 13 13A Head width > 1/5 snout-vent length, adpressed limbs meet/overlap Pacific Giant Salamander Order Caudata: Family Cryptobranchidae Hellbender Head & body extremely flat, 1 pair of gill slits, 4 large legs, loose folds of skin along legs & trunk Habitat: Aquatic, cold streams Diet: Invert., Vertebrates Region: Eastern U.S. Stick in gill slit Order Caudata: Family Proteidae Common Mudpuppy Relatively flat body, plume-like gills, 4 “typical” legs Habitat: Aquatic Diet: Invert., Vertebrates Region: Eastern U.S. Characteristics of Salamanders in Family Plethodontidae: Naslolabial grooves, cluster of parasphenoid teeth; costal grooves Nasolabial grooves (larger in males) Parasphenoid teeth Order Caudata: Family Plethodontidae (Lungless Sal.) Ensatina Toes overlap if legs adpressed Large head & eyes, tail constricted at base Habitat: Forest, Talus Diet: Invertebrates Region: Washington Order Caudata: Family Plethodontidae (Lungless Sal.) Western Red-backed Salamander Legs separated by intercostal folds if adpressed Dorsal stripe extends to tip of tail, its color varies 5th toe on hind foot is < 1/2 length of 4th toe Habitat: Forest, Talus Diet: Invertebrates Region: Washington Order Caudata: Family Plethodontidae (Lungless Sal.) Arboreal Salamander Brown body with small yellow spots Toes overlap if legs adpressed, square-tipped toes Habitat: Forest, Arboreal Diet: Invertebrates Region: Western U.S., but not Washington Order Caudata: Family Rhyacotritonidae (Torrent Sal.) Olympic Torrent Salamander Eyes larger than distance between eyes & tip of snout, Muscular legs, but limbs don’t touch when legs adpressed Bright yellow belly with dark spots Habitat: Aquatic, Cold Streams Diet: Invertebrates Region: Washington Large eye & relatively short rostrum compared to Ambystomatid or Plethodontid Order Anura: Family Leiopelmatidae (Tailed Frog) Pacific (or Coastal) Tailed Frog No external eardrum, long legs, but little webbing in toes Out toe on hind foot thicker than inner toes Male has tail-like extension of cloaca for internal fertilization Habitat: Aquatic, Cold Streams Diet: Invertebrates Region: Washington Order Anura: Family Hylidae (Tree Frog) Pacific Tree (Chorus) Frog Long, slender legs, black mask from snout to shoulders, Adhesive pads on toe tip & intercalary cartilage in each toe Habitat: Forest, Grasslands Diet: Invertebrates Region: Washington Order Anura: Family Pelobatidae (Spadefoot) Great Basin Spadefoot Rough skin, no parotid glands, short legs, vertical pupil 1 black, sharp-edged tubercle (spade) on hind foot. Round, reddish colored bumps on skin Habitat: Grasslands Diet: Invertebrates Region: Washington Order Anura: Family Bufonidae (True Toad) Western Toad Rough skin, large, oval parotid glands, short legs 2 tubercles on hind feet, light vertebral stripe Habitat: Forest, Grasslands Diet: Invertebrates Region: Washington Order Anura: Family Ranidae Columbia Spotted Frog Dorsolateral folds, extend down to hip. Heel doesn’t reach nostril when hind leg is extended along body Webbing almost to tips of hind toes. Black spots have blurred, irregular edges, often with light edges Habitat: Aquatic, Grassland Diet: Invertebrates Region: Washington Order Anura: Family Ranidae Leopard Frog Dorsolateral folds, extend down to hip Heel reaches to nostril or beyond. Last 1-2 joints of hind toes free of webbing. Brown/black oval blotches with light borders Habitat: Aquatic, Grassland Diet: Invertebrates Region: Washington