Articles tagged with Salamanders
Three new species of groundwater salamanders discovered in Central Texas, including one critically endangered, have been identified as highly vulnerable to extinction. The discovery highlights the need to protect these keystone species, which maintain aquifer ecosystem health.
A study analyzing 303 Texas salamanders found that complex aquifer hydrogeology drives population divergence and speciation. The authors predict that Edwards-Trinity Eurycea may become extinct within 100 years due to habitat loss from groundwater depletion.
A new study found that picaridin-containing insect repellents can be lethal to larval salamanders, causing severe mortality and developmental deformities. The research suggests that environmentally realistic concentrations of picaridin may increase the abundance of adult mosquitoes due to reduced predation pressure.
Research analyzed data from 500,000 observations at 5,000 sites in North America to find the main cause of amphibian decline. The study found that 3.4% of species are disappearing annually, with declines occurring since the 19th century.
A team led by UTIA faculty members will study the epidemiology of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, a fungus causing salamander population declines in Europe. The research aims to find ways to combat the fungus and has significant implications for US wildlife health.
Scientists discovered that neural stem cells in spinal cords are the limiting factor for tail regeneration. Unlike salamanders, lizard neural stem cells cannot produce diverse cell types needed for bony vertebrae development. This finding may aid understanding of why humans can't regenerate their tails.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that unisexual salamanders rarely borrow DNA from other species, despite persisting for millions of years. The study suggests that their unique reproductive strategy may be linked to environmental changes or specific interactions with other species.
Researchers at Clemson University found that salamanders can alter their behavior and physiology in response to environmental stressors, reducing extinction risk. This new understanding could provide a more accurate assessment of the impact of global warming on salamander populations.
A recent study in Current Biology identifies the giant Chinese salamander as having five distinct species, all of which are critically endangered and face imminent extinction. The researchers highlight the importance of genetic assessments and conservation efforts to protect these unique animals.
Researchers sequenced the giant salamander genome, uncovering a family of genes that provide clues to its remarkable ability to rebuild complex tissue and resist tumour formation. The study offers new insights into regeneration and potential avenues for developing regenerative strategies for humans.
A Penn State study found that glow sticks can greatly increase amphibian captures by up to six times, making it a more efficient and cost-effective method. The researchers used glow sticks to lure adult salamanders and frogs into traps set in vernal pools, resulting in a significant capture rate.
A 35-million-year-old salamander fossil from France has yielded a unique glimpse into the life of an ancient creature. Researchers have successfully imaged the internal anatomy of the specimen using advanced x-ray imaging techniques, revealing that it fed on frogs - a rare food source for salamanders.
A team of paleontologists at the University of Toronto discovered that ancient amphibians had a vast array of tiny teeth, called denticles, on the roofs of their mouths. These toothy plates were ideal for holding onto prey and may have facilitated swallowing prey via eyeball retraction, similar to modern amphibians.
A study from the University of Missouri found that salamanders breeding in the fall move to new ponds less often than those breeding in spring. This discovery could lead to better forest management and conservation strategies by taking into account a species' breeding season when managing populations.
A team of biologists found that a promiscuous salamander balances its genome by using equal contributions from three separate species. This balanced genetic profile may be key to the hybrid's success and adaptability.
A green alga living in the cells of spotted salamanders undergoes molecular changes that stress its energy production, while salamander cells remain unaffected. The symbiotic relationship is unusual and may have implications for other symbiotic systems.
The invasive Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans fungus has led to mass mortality of fire salamanders in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Only 13% of infected salamanders survive over a 10-day period, highlighting the high risk of extinction.
A new study from Rice University found that smaller, younger predators have a significant ecological impact on pond ecosystems. The research, which involved over 54 test ponds and thousands of hours of data analysis, showed that even the earliest stages of salamander development can lead to lasting changes in the environment.
A new study reveals that salamanders travel an average of six miles and as far as nine miles to reach breeding sites, likely due to the physiological costs of not having sex. This long-distance migration may be crucial for their survival and genetic health.
Researchers have discovered three new species of the enigmatic genus Thorius, which are the smallest tailed tetrapods, with populations declining precipitously over the last 30-35 years. The findings highlight the large number of amphibian species that remain to be discovered and formally described before they are lost.
Researchers have found that axolotl salamanders can regenerate significant portions of their adult ovary after injury. This ability could lead to new treatments for pre-mature ovarian failure and reduced fertility in humans.
Researchers have discovered that axolotl salamanders can regenerate their ovaries and produce eggs throughout their lifespan, sparking hopes for regenerative medicine solutions to human infertility. The study found that these salamanders' ability to repair damaged organs could be translated into humans with the help of key signals.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that all-female mole salamanders can regenerate tail tissue at 1.5 times the rate of their heterosexual counterparts, with a 10-week timeline compared to 14 weeks for males. This faster regeneration may be attributed to genetic differences and reproductive strategies.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has imposed a ban on importing 201 species of salamanders to prevent the spread of deadly fungal disease Bsal. Researchers will discuss lessons learned from controlling another closely related fungus, Bd, which has decimated frog populations worldwide.
The USGS report highlights the need for cooperative research and management efforts to develop effective disease-management strategies before Bsal arrives in the US. Early detection of Bsal is crucial to quickly implement management responses, reducing its spread.
The conservation community has taken swift and coordinated action to prevent the introduction and spread of Batrachocytrium salamandrivorans, a deadly fungal pathogen threatening North American salamander populations. Conservation organizations have called for policy changes to aid in preventing the disease's entry into the region.
A new fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), poses a significant threat to North America's amphibian populations. The authors propose concrete steps to prevent or reduce the risk of Bsal entry into the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
A new study evaluates mechanisms driving diversity in bone function, providing insight into the evolution of tetrapods and their transition to land. The tiger salamander's unique anatomy and ecology make it an ideal organism for studying this process.
Researchers analyze salamander hunting skills to understand how animals compensate for sensorimotor delays. By predicting prey movement, salamanders successfully catch over 90% of their targets. The study's findings provide new insights into human motor processing and prediction strategies.
Researchers found that salamander-like regenerative capacities exist in fossil tetrapods from the Carboniferous and Permian periods. This suggests that high regeneration was a primitive state for all four-legged vertebrates, potentially lost in evolution.
A new species of salamander, Palaeoplethodon hispaniolae, has been found preserved in Dominican amber, dating back over 20 million years. The fossil provides clues to the ecological and geological history of the Caribbean islands, highlighting the region's complex past.
A recent fungus, Bsal, threatens American salamanders with a 96% fatality rate, highlighting the urgent need for a U.S. ban on salamander imports. The fungus's spread could imperil North American ecosystems, which rely heavily on these small, often overlooked animals.
A deadly fungus identified in 2013 poses a significant threat to North American salamander populations. Scientists are urging the U.S. government to implement an immediate ban on live salamander imports to prevent the spread of the fatal Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) fungus.
A deadly fungal infection, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), threatens North America's wild salamander population via the international pet trade. The fungus is highly virulent and has caused mass die-offs in Europe.
A study published in PLOS ONE created a 3D model of the Chinese giant salamander's bite, revealing its feeding mechanism involves capturing prey in front and biting quickly to the side when approaching. The analysis shows the salamander's unique skull architecture may be related to this ability.
Farmed Chinese giant salamanders are traded across China, kept in crowded conditions, and prone to devastating disease outbreaks. The industry poses a number of threats to the species, including the mixing of locally-adapted genetic strains making farmed animals unsuitable for future reintroduction to the wild.
Studies on lungfish and salamander hearing shed light on the evolution of aerial hearing in early terrestrial vertebrates, suggesting they could have detected airborne sound without a tympanic middle ear. The research provides insight into the development of hearing 250-350 million years ago.
Researchers at the University of Missouri estimated that salamander populations are 2-4 times higher than previously thought, and may be up to 10 times higher in some regions. This finding could help drive conservation efforts and forest management by acknowledging salamanders as a key food source.
A previously unknown fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, discovered in the Netherlands, poses a significant threat to European salamander populations. The fungus is found in amphibians from Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan but has only been detected in Europe recently.
A deadly fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, is threatening wild populations of fire salamanders in Europe and may reach the US through international trade. Scientists are warning that the fungus could have devastating effects on North America's salamander biodiversity.
Researchers found that red-legged salamanders on trees had the same diet as those on the ground, contradicting the theory that climbing allows access to new food sources. The study suggests alternative explanations for salamander behavior, including competition and predator avoidance.
A study published in The FASEB Journal identifies a salamander skin peptide called tylotoin that promotes wound healing by enhancing keratinocyte proliferation and releasing essential growth factors. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for human wounds.
Researchers have identified a critical molecular pathway, the ERK pathway, that determines whether an adult cell can be reprogrammed and aid in limb regeneration. Constantly active ERK pathway may unlock new therapies for human diseases.
Researchers found that improved turf management practices on US golf courses enhance biodiversity and provide a habitat for stream salamanders. Simple management practices such as retaining woody debris and leaf litter can make a significant ecological difference.
A study found that wild salamanders living in the Appalachian Mountains are getting smaller due to warmer and drier conditions. The changes were most marked at low elevations and in the Southern Appalachians, where climate records showed significant warming and drying.
Wild salamanders in North America are getting smaller as their surroundings warm and dry, forcing them to burn more energy. The changes were most marked at low elevations, where detailed weather records show a warming and drying climate.
Research by the USDA Forest Service finds that woodland salamander predation on invertebrates increases litter retention and carbon capture. The study, led by Dr. Hartwell Welsh Jr., suggests that these small animals play a significant role in regulating forest ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism in salamanders that allows them to jump with minimal push-off force. This 'hip-twist jump' creates a high amount of elastic energy, enabling the animals to propel themselves upwards.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that salamander populations reflect forest habitat quality and can predict ecosystem recovery from logging. This study suggests a balance between timber harvest and conservation biology to maintain biodiversity.
Researchers from Bielefeld University and TU Braunschweig found that female fire salamanders can store sperm from multiple males, leading to increased offspring numbers and fitness. Polyandry appears to be a key mechanism for reproductive success in this species, contradicting the long-held assumption of monogamy.
A new species of fungus has ravaged fire salamander populations in the Netherlands, killing over 90% of the original population. The fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, can rapidly kill fire salamanders and is thought to have originated from elsewhere in the world.
Researchers found that woodland salamander populations closely track forest stand growth and development, making them a viable indicator of ecosystem recovery. The study's findings suggest that healthy forests support a wide range of species, including rare and native wildlife, and are crucial carbon sinks.
Research suggests that timber rattlesnakes can remove thousands of infected ticks from ecosystems each year, potentially regulating Lyme disease prevalence. Fungi, meanwhile, display unique relationships with other species, including decomposition, mutual benefits, and parasitic behaviors.
Researchers analyzed terrestrial locomotion in tiger salamanders and mudskipper fish, finding that pectoral fins experience more medial forces than forelimbs. This suggests that early amphibious fish with fins may not have been capable of supporting their weight on land.
Researchers have identified genetic markers associated with salamander tail regeneration and found that the width of the tail influences regrowth pace. The study suggests local factors at the site of injury regulate regenerative outgrowth, contributing to differences in regeneration among animals.
Researchers from Monash University found that macrophages play a crucial role in salamander regeneration. Without them, salamanders lose their ability to regenerate and form scar tissue instead. The study brings scientists closer to understanding the conditions needed for human regeneration.
Climate change is stressing amphibian populations worldwide, with USGS research revealing that extreme rainfall events and droughts can decrease their numbers. Scientists examined the impact of changes in rainfall patterns on amphibian life cycles, finding that a balance between deluges and droughts is crucial for survival.
A new study investigates the connection between amphibian social habits and a fungus called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which causes Chytridiomycosis. The researchers aim to understand how behavior affects the spread of the disease in California's slender salamander populations.
A study by Yale University researchers found that spotted salamanders breeding in contaminated roadside ponds are adapting to their toxic environments through rapid evolution. The salamanders' survival and growth rates improve in these conditions, suggesting they have developed a genetic advantage.
A new study has detailed the skin microbes of the endangered Ozark Hellbender giant salamander, which may be contributing to its declining health and population loss. The research provides a baseline for understanding the impact of changing ecosystems on amphibians worldwide.