Federal Register/Vol. 81, No. 8/Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Federal Register/Vol. 81, No. 8/Wednesday, January 13, 2016 1534 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 13, 2016 / Rules and Regulations If . Then include . ******* (j) the estimated value of the acquisition exceeds $10 million ................ 52.222–24 Pre-award On-site Equal Opportunity Compliance Evalua- tion. (k) the contracting officer requires cost or pricing data for work or serv- 52.215–10 Price Reduction for Defective Certified Cost or Pricing Data. ices exceeding the threshold identified in FAR 15.403–4. 52.215–12 Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data. ******* [FR Doc. 2016–00475 Filed 1–12–16; 8:45 am] DATES: This interim rule is effective as the offspring or eggs of any of the BILLING CODE 6820–161–P of January 28, 2016. Interested persons foregoing that are injurious to human are invited to submit written comments beings, to the interests of agriculture, on this interim rule on or before March horticulture, or forestry, or to the DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 14, 2016 wildlife or wildlife resources of the ADDRESSES: You may submit comments United States. Fish and Wildlife Service by any of the following methods: We have determined that salamanders • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// that can carry the fungus 50 CFR Part 16 www.regulations.gov. Search for Docket Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) are injurious to wildlife and RIN 1018–BA77 No. FWS–HQ–FAC–2015–0005 and follow the instructions for submitting wildlife resources of the United States. [Docket No. FWS–HQ–FAC–2015–0005; comments. This determination was based on a FXFR13360900000–156–FF09F14000] • Mail, Hand Delivery, or Courier: review of the literature and an Public Comments Processing, Attn: evaluation under the criteria for Injurious Wildlife Species; Listing FWS–HQ–FAC–2015–0005; Division of injuriousness by the Service. The Salamanders Due to Risk of Policy, Performance, and Management salamander species listed by this Salamander Chytrid Fungus Programs; United States Fish and interim rule are those found within a AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Service; MS: BPHC; 5275 genus for which we have confirmation Interior. Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041– that at least one species in that genus is ACTION: Interim rule; request for 3803. a carrier of Bsal, and there is no comments; notice of availability of We will not accept email or faxes. We countervailing conclusive evidence economic analysis. will post all comments on http:// suggesting that some species within the www.regulations.gov. This generally genus are not carriers. We find that, due SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife means that we will post any personal to shared characteristics by species Service is amending its regulations information you provide us (see within a genus, other species within under the Lacey Act to add all species Comments on the Content of the Interim these genera are also highly likely to be of salamanders from 20 genera, of which Rule for more information). All carriers of Bsal. Although additional there are 201 species, to the list of submissions received must include salamander species could be at risk from injurious amphibians. With this interim ‘‘Docket No. FWS–HQ–FAC–2015– Bsal infection or could serve as a carrier, rule, both importation into the United 0005’’ for this rulemaking. For detailed we are not listing species in those States and interstate transportation instructions on submitting comments genera because they have not yet been between States, the District of Columbia, and additional information on the tested. the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or rulemaking process, see Comments on The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service any territory or possession of the United the Content of the Interim Rule. (Service, USFWS, or we) is amending its States of any live or dead specimen, Docket: For access to the docket to regulations under the Lacey Act to add including parts, of these 20 genera of read background documents or to the list of injurious wildlife all salamanders are prohibited, except by comments received, go to http:// species of live and dead specimens from permit for zoological, educational, www.regulations.gov and find Docket 20 genera, including body parts, from medical, or scientific purposes (in No. FWS–HQ–FAC–2015–0005. the amphibian order Caudata, which accordance with permit conditions) or FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: includes animals commonly referred to by Federal agencies without a permit Jason Goldberg or Susan Jewell, as salamanders, newts, and other names solely for their own use. This action is Injurious Wildlife Listing Coordinators, (hereafter, salamanders). The purpose of necessary to protect the interests of United States Fish and Wildlife Service, listing these species as injurious wildlife and wildlife resources from the Branch of Aquatic Invasive Species; MS: wildlife is to prevent the introduction, introduction, establishment, and spread FAC; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, establishment, and spread of the fungus of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium VA 22041–3803 telephone 703–358– (Bsal) in the wild in the United States. salamandrivorans into ecosystems of 1715. If you use a telecommunications The fungus affects only salamanders, the United States. The fungus affects device for the deaf (TDD), please call the has lethal effects on many salamander salamanders, with lethal effects on Federal Information Relay Service species, and is not yet known to be many species, and is not yet known to (FIRS) at 800–877–8339. found in the United States. be found in the United States. Because SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States has the greatest of the devastating effect that we expect diversity of salamanders in the world, the fungus will have on native U.S. Executive Summary the salamanders are a vital part of native salamanders if introduced and, Under the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42, as ecosystems, and numerous salamander therefore, the need to act immediately to amended), the Secretary of the Interior populations are at risk of endangerment prevent the disease from being may list by regulation those wild from Bsal. Experience with the introduced into the United States, the mammals, wild birds, fish, mollusks, introduction of Bsal into the Service is publishing this interim rule. crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, and Netherlands and associated deleterious VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:56 Jan 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\13JAR1.SGM 13JAR1 asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 13, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 1535 effects to native salamanders, along with a host and causing extensive damage to localities, not merely large territories, laboratory research, confirms that Bsal wildlife and wildlife resources, where they have not previously existed. can be introduced and cause substantial including federally endangered and See 16 U.S.C. 701. Third, the legislative and immediate harm in the United threatened species. Eradicating Bsal history of Congress’s many amendments States. would be extremely difficult once to the Lacey Act since its enactment in A risk assessment conducted by the introduced and established, the ability 1900 shows that Congress intended, U.S. Geological Survey concluded that to rehabilitate disturbed ecosystems is from the very beginning, for the Service the potential for Bsal introduction into expected to be low, and controlling Bsal to regulate the interstate shipment of the United States is high, the United is not practical. Prophylactic treatments certain injurious wildlife. Finally, States has suitable conditions for Bsal for imports of salamanders to manage recent Congresses have made clear that survival, and the consequences of Bsal are in development but are not yet Congress interprets 18 U.S.C. 42(a)(1) as introduction into the United States are fully tested or feasible. prohibiting interstate transport of expected to be severe and occur across We are amending our regulations injurious wildlife between the states a wide range of the United States. The under an interim rule and are foregoing within the continental United States. In main pathway for the global spread of a proposed rule. The interim rule will amending § 42(a)(1) to add bighead carp Bsal is the international trade in take effect on the date specified above and zebra mussels as injurious wildlife salamanders. The ability and in DATES, with public comment to without making other changes to the effectiveness of measures to prevent or conclude as set forth in DATES. Based on provision, Congress repeated and control Bsal is currently low. Trade in public comments received, the interim ratified the Service’s interpretation of wildlife occurs on a global scale, and rule may be revised. If Bsal is the statute as prohibiting all interstate amphibians are one of the most introduced into the United States, it is transport of injurious species. commonly traded animals. Therefore, expected to have negative effects on The prohibitions on importation and listing the 20 genera will be effective at many species of native salamanders. No all interstate transportation are both reducing the likelihood that Bsal enters conclusive evidence exists that suggests necessary to prevent the introduction, the United States and presents a threat that Bsal is found in the United States. establishment, and spread of injurious to native salamander species. Therefore, the opportunity exists to take species that threaten human health or Of the 190 native U.S. salamander urgent action now to prevent the
Recommended publications
  • FEB Craig Guyer - 4 1999 Department of Zoology and Wildlife Science Auburn University Auburn, AL 36849 (334)-844-9232 [email protected]
    HISTORICAL AFFINITIES AND POPULATION BIOLOGY OF THE BLACK WARRIOR WATERDOG (NECTURUS ALABAMENSIS) FINAL REPORT FY 1998 FEB - 4 1999 Craig Guyer Department of Zoology and Wildlife Science Auburn University Auburn, AL 36849 (334)-844-9232 [email protected] SUMMARY 1) The Black Warrior waterdog is morphologically and genetically distinctive from other waterdogs in the state of Alabama and should be recognized as Necturus alabamensis. 2) The Black Warrior waterdog is most closely related to the mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus. 3) Four waterdogs are present in the state of Alabama, the two listed above, plus two forms from the Coastal Plains; the latter include Necturus beyeri (all rivers draining into Mobile Bay) and Necturus iodingi (Appalachicola to Perdido drainages, inclusive). 4) Populations of Black Warrior waterdogs in Sipsey Fork and Brushy Creek appear to be patchily distributed, creating challenges for determining key features of demography. 5) State and Federal protection of the Black Warrior waterdog as a threatened species is warranted. INTRODUCTION Waterdogs (Necturus: Proteidae) are paedomorphic, stream-dwelling salamanders of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains. The systematics of these creatures has challenged herpetologists for the past 60 years. The Black Warrior Waterdog, a species restricted to the upper Black Warrior drainages of Alabama, has been particularly problematic. Viosca (1937) originally described this taxon as being similar toN maculosus, but subsequent taxonomic treattnents considered specimens from this drainage to be conspecific with waterdogs from the lower portions of the Mobile drainages (N maculosus: Bishop 1943, Schmidt 1953; N beyeri alabamensis: Hecht 1958, Conant 1958; N puncta/us: Brode 1969; N beyeri: Mount 1975; N alabamensis: Conant 1975, Conant and Collins 1998).
    [Show full text]
  • Western Tiger Salamander,Ambystoma Mavortium
    COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Western Tiger Salamander Ambystoma mavortium Southern Mountain population Prairie / Boreal population in Canada Southern Mountain population – ENDANGERED Prairie / Boreal population – SPECIAL CONCERN 2012 COSEWIC status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. This report may be cited as follows: COSEWIC. 2012. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Western Tiger Salamander Ambystoma mavortium in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xv + 63 pp. (www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm). Previous report(s): COSEWIC. 2001. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 33 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm). Schock, D.M. 2001. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum in Canada, in COSEWIC assessment and status report on the tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 1-33 pp. Production note: COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Arthur Whiting for writing the status report on the Western Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma mavortium, in Canada, prepared under contract with Environment Canada. This report was overseen and edited by Kristiina Ovaska, Co-chair of the COSEWIC Amphibians and Reptiles Specialist Subcommittee. For additional copies contact: COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: 819-953-3215 Fax: 819-994-3684 E-mail: COSEWIC/[email protected] http://www.cosewic.gc.ca Également disponible en français sous le titre Ếvaluation et Rapport de situation du COSEPAC sur la Salamandre tigrée de l’Ouest (Ambystoma mavortium) au Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • Pre-Incursion Plan PIP006 Salamanders and Newts
    Pre-incursion Plan PIP006 Salamanders and Newts Pre-incursion Plan PIP006 Salamanders and Newts Order: Ambystomatidae, Cryptobranchidea and Proteidae Scope This plan is in place to guide prevention and eradication activities and the management of non-indigenous populations of Salamanders and Newts (Order Caudata; Families Salamandridae, Ambystomatidae, Cryptobranchidea and Proteidae) amphibians in the wild in Victoria. Version Document Status Date Author Reviewed By Approved for Release 1.0 First Draft 26/07/11 Dana Price M. Corry, S. Wisniewski and A. Woolnough 1.1 Second Draft 21/10/11 Dana Price S. Wisniewski 2.0 Final Draft 18/01/2012 Dana Price 3.0 Revision Draft 12/11/15 Dana Price J. Goldsworthy 3.1 New Final 10/03/2016 Nigel Roberts D.Price New DEDJTR templates and document review Published by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Agriculture Victoria, May 2016 © The State of Victoria 2016. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000. Front cover: Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) Photo: Image courtesy of High Risk Invasive Animals group, DEDJTR Photo: Image from Wikimedia Commons and reproduced with permission under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic License. ISBN 078-1-925532-40-1 (pdf/online) Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • Scientific Publication of Georeferenced Molecular Data As an Adequate Guide to Delimit the Range of Korean Hynobius Salamanders Through Citizen Science
    Acta Herpetologica 14(1): 27-33, 2019 DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-24102 Scientific publication of georeferenced molecular data as an adequate guide to delimit the range of Korean Hynobius salamanders through citizen science Amaël Borzée1,*, Hae Jun Baek2,3, Chang Hoon Lee2,3, Dong Yoon Kim2, Jae-Young Song4, Jae-Hwa Suh5, Yik- weon Jang1, Mi-Sook Min2,* 1 Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University, 03760, Seoul, Republic of Korea. *Corresponding authors. E-mail: amaelborzee@ gmail.com; [email protected] 2 Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, 08826, Seoul, Republic of Korea 3 National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon, 33657, South Chungcheong Province, Republic of Korea 4 National Park Research Institute, Korea National Park Service, Wonju, 26441, Gangwon Province, Republic of Korea 5 National Institute of Biological Resources, 22689, Incheon, Republic of Korea Submitted on: 2018, October 26th; Revised on: 2019, February 20th; Accepted on: 2019, March 1st Editor: Daniele Pellitteri-Rosa Abstract. Despite the importance of clearly assessing the distribution boundaries of species, it is not possible for sci- entists to acquire genetic information and conduct molecular analysis for all populations. Consequently, citizen sci- ence is of increasing importance for large scale data collection. In this study, we described the range boundaries of the four Hynobius species occurring in Korea based on genetic identification and refined their distribution through citizen science data. The genetic identification of individuals was extracted from the literature, while the citizen science data were extracted from iNaturalist through GBIF. Distribution boundary lines were drawn from the genetic data and consistency with citizen science datapoints was assessed through a comparative analysis with the points found beyond the established boundary lines.
    [Show full text]
  • A Safe and Efficient Technique for Handling Siren Spp. and Amphiuma
    Herpetological Review, 2009, 40(2), 169–170. © 2009 by Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles A Safe and Efficient Technique for Handling Siren spp. and Amphiuma spp. in the Field DONALD J. BROWN* and MICHAEL R. J. FORSTNER Department of Biology, Texas State University-San Marcos 601 University Drive, San Marcos, Texas 78666, USA e-mail (MRJF): [email protected] FIG. 1. Siren texana being restrained for measurements using a snake Corresponding author; e-mail: [email protected] tube. Siren spp. and Amphiuma spp. are large eel-like salamanders sary data on a given individual in under ten minutes. A potential distributed throughout the coastal plain of the southeastern United drawback of this method is that the salamanders will never be States (Conant and Collins 1998). Much has been reported on perfectly linear due to the necessity of having enough space to capture methods for these species. Common methods include min- facilitate movement into the tube. However, once an individual is now and crayfish traps (Sorensen 2004), hoop nets (Snodgrass et placed in a given tube, a smaller tube can be inserted at the anterior al. 1999), dip nets (Fauth and Resetarits 1991), and baited hooks end and the salamander can be coerced into it by touching its tail, (Hanlin 1978). Recently, a trap capable of sampling these species resulting in a tighter fit and more accurate measurements. The at depths up to 70 cm was developed (Luhring and Jennison 2008). handling method we used was effective for collecting standard Because of their slippery skin and irritable nature, Siren spp.
    [Show full text]
  • Caudata: Hynobiidae): Heterochronies and Reductions
    65 (1): 117 – 130 © Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, 2015. 4.5.2015 Development of the bony skeleton in the Taiwan salamander, Hynobius formosanus Maki, 1922 (Caudata: Hynobiidae): Heterochronies and reductions Anna B. Vassilieva 1 *, June-Shiang Lai 2, Shang-Fang Yang 2, Yu-Hao Chang 1 & Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Jr. 1 1 Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, GSP-1, Moscow 119991, Russia — 2 Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, 88, Sec. 4 Tingchou Rd., Taipei 11677, Taiwan, R.O.C. — *Cor- responding author; vassil.anna(at)gmail.com Accepted 19.ii.2015. Published online at www.senckenberg.de / vertebrate-zoology on 4.v.2015. Abstract The development of the bony skeleton in a partially embryonized lotic-breeding salamander Hynobius formosanus is studied using the ontogenetic series from late embryos to postmetamorphic juveniles and adult specimen. Early stages of skull development in this spe- cies are compared with the early cranial ontogeny in two non-embryonized lentic-breeding species H. lichenatus and H. nigrescens. The obtained results show that skeletal development distinguishes H. formosanus from other hynobiids by a set of important features: 1) the reduction of provisory ossifications (complete absence of palatine and reduced state of coronoid), 2) alteration of a typical sequence of ossification appearance, namely, the delayed formation of vomer and coronoid, and 3) the absence of a separate ossification center of a lacrimal and formation of a single prefrontolacrimal. These unique osteological characters in H. formosanus are admittedly connected with specific traits of its life history, including partial embryonization, endogenous feeding until the end of metamorphosis and relatively short larval period.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife Habitat Plan
    WILDLIFE HABITAT PLAN City of Novi, Michigan A QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY WILDLIFE HABITAT PLAN City of Novi, Michigan A QUALIlY OF LIFE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY JUNE 1993 Prepared By: Wildlife Management Services Brandon M. Rogers and Associates, P.C. JCK & Associates, Inc. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS City Council Matthew C. Ouinn, Mayor Hugh C. Crawford, Mayor ProTem Nancy C. Cassis Carol A. Mason Tim Pope Robert D. Schmid Joseph G. Toth Planning Commission Kathleen S. McLallen, * Chairman John P. Balagna, Vice Chairman lodia Richards, Secretary Richard J. Clark Glen Bonaventura Laura J. lorenzo* Robert Mitzel* Timothy Gilberg Robert Taub City Manager Edward F. Kriewall Director of Planning and Community Development James R. Wahl Planning Consultant Team Wildlife Management Services - 640 Starkweather Plymouth, MI. 48170 Kevin Clark, Urban Wildlife Specialist Adrienne Kral, Wildlife Biologist Ashley long, Field Research Assistant Brandon M. Rogers and Associates, P.C. - 20490 Harper Ave. Harper Woods, MI. 48225 Unda C. lemke, RlA, ASLA JCK & Associates, Inc. - 45650 Grand River Ave. Novi, MI. 48374 Susan Tepatti, Water Resources Specialist * Participated with the Planning Consultant Team in developing the study. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii PREFACE vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY viii FRAGMENTATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES " ., , 1 Consequences ............................................ .. 1 Effects Of Forest Fragmentation 2 Edges 2 Reduction of habitat 2 SPECIES SAMPLING TECHNIQUES ................................ .. 3 Methodology 3 Survey Targets ............................................ ., 6 Ranking System ., , 7 Core Reserves . .. 7 Wildlife Movement Corridor .............................. .. 9 FIELD SURVEY RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS , 9 Analysis Results ................................ .. 9 Core Reserves . .. 9 Findings and Recommendations , 9 WALLED LAKE CORE RESERVE - DETAILED STUDy.... .. .... .. .... .. 19 Results and Recommendations ............................... .. 21 GUIDELINES TO ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE PLANNING AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.
    [Show full text]
  • Pseudoeurycea Naucampatepetl. the Cofre De Perote Salamander Is Endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of Eastern Mexico. This
    Pseudoeurycea naucampatepetl. The Cofre de Perote salamander is endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of eastern Mexico. This relatively large salamander (reported to attain a total length of 150 mm) is recorded only from, “a narrow ridge extending east from Cofre de Perote and terminating [on] a small peak (Cerro Volcancillo) at the type locality,” in central Veracruz, at elevations from 2,500 to 3,000 m (Amphibian Species of the World website). Pseudoeurycea naucampatepetl has been assigned to the P. bellii complex of the P. bellii group (Raffaëlli 2007) and is considered most closely related to P. gigantea, a species endemic to the La specimens and has not been seen for 20 years, despite thorough surveys in 2003 and 2004 (EDGE; www.edgeofexistence.org), and thus it might be extinct. The habitat at the type locality (pine-oak forest with abundant bunch grass) lies within Lower Montane Wet Forest (Wilson and Johnson 2010; IUCN Red List website [accessed 21 April 2013]). The known specimens were “found beneath the surface of roadside banks” (www.edgeofexistence.org) along the road to Las Lajas Microwave Station, 15 kilometers (by road) south of Highway 140 from Las Vigas, Veracruz (Amphibian Species of the World website). This species is terrestrial and presumed to reproduce by direct development. Pseudoeurycea naucampatepetl is placed as number 89 in the top 100 Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered amphib- ians (EDGE; www.edgeofexistence.org). We calculated this animal’s EVS as 17, which is in the middle of the high vulnerability category (see text for explanation), and its IUCN status has been assessed as Critically Endangered.
    [Show full text]
  • Vernacular Name AMPHIUMA, ONE-TOED (Aka: Congo Eel, Congo Snake, Ditch Eel, Fish Eel and Lamprey Eel)
    1/6 Vernacular Name AMPHIUMA, ONE-TOED (aka: Congo Eel, Congo Snake, Ditch Eel, Fish Eel and Lamprey Eel) GEOGRAPHIC RANGE Eastern Gulf coast. HABITAT Wetlands: slow moving or stagnant freshwater rivers/streams/creeks and bogs, marshes, swamps, fens and peat lands. CONSERVATION STATUS IUCN: Near Threatened (2016). Population Trend: Decreasing. Because of the limited extent of its occurrence and because of the declining extent and quality of its habitat, this species is close to qualifying for Vulnerable. COOL FACTS Amphiumas are commonly known as "Congo eels," a misnomer. First of all, amphiumas are amphibians, rather than fish (which eels are). This notwithstanding, amphiumas bear resemblance to the elongate fishes. It is easy to overlook the diminutive legs, and the lack of any external gills adds to the similarity between the amphiumas and eels. Amphiumas are adapted for digging and tunneling. They seem to spend most of the time in muddy burrows and are rarely observed in the wild. They never fully metamorphose and retain larval characteristics in varying degrees into adulthood: one pair of the larval gill slits is retained and never disappears, no eyelids, no tongue and the presence of 4 gill arches with a single respiratory opening between the 3 rd--4th arches. Amphiumas have two pairs of limbs, and the three species, all of which occur in the S.E. U.S, differ in regard to the number of toes at the ends of these limbs: one, two or three. These amphiumas possess tiny, single-toed limbs, one pair just behind the small gill opening at each side of the neck and another pair just ahead of the longitudinal anal slit .
    [Show full text]
  • Successful Reproduction of the Mole Salamander Ambystoma Talpoideum in Captivity, with an Emphasis on Stimuli Environmental Determinants
    SHORT NOTE The Herpetological Bulletin 141, 2017: 28-31 Successful reproduction of the mole salamander Ambystoma talpoideum in captivity, with an emphasis on stimuli environmental determinants AXEL HERNANDEZ Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University Pasquale Paoli of Corsica, Corte, 20250, France Author Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT - Generating and promoting evidence-based husbandry protocols for urodeles, commonly known as newts and salamanders, is urgently needed because most of the up-to-date ex situ programs are focused on frogs and toads than Urodela. Data on biology, life history, ecology and environmental parameters are lacking for many species and are needed to establish suitable husbandry and breeding conditions in captive environments. Two adult females and two adult males, of the mole salamander Ambystoma talpoideum successfully reproduced in captivity. It was found that reproduction of this species depends on various complex stimuli: including natural photoperiod 12:12, rainwater (acidic to neutral pH) and an aquarium full of various debris. Additionally high temperature variations ranging from 2 °C to 17 °C (a decrease followed by an increase) between November and February showed that it is possible to breed adults in aquariums provided the right stimuli are applied at the right moment of time in winter. A. talpoideum shows an explosive breeding mode as previously reported for the whole genus Ambystoma. INTRODUCTION with an emphasis on the environmental determinant stimuli involved. These data may assist in improving breeding these ince the 1980s, the current global amphibian extinction salamanders under artificial conditions. crisis has been discussed and acknowledged (Wake, A.
    [Show full text]
  • AMPHIBIANS of OHIO F I E L D G U I D E DIVISION of WILDLIFE INTRODUCTION
    AMPHIBIANS OF OHIO f i e l d g u i d e DIVISION OF WILDLIFE INTRODUCTION Amphibians are typically shy, secre- Unlike reptiles, their skin is not scaly. Amphibian eggs must remain moist if tive animals. While a few amphibians Nor do they have claws on their toes. they are to hatch. The eggs do not have are relatively large, most are small, deli- Most amphibians prefer to come out at shells but rather are covered with a jelly- cately attractive, and brightly colored. night. like substance. Amphibians lay eggs sin- That some of these more vulnerable spe- gly, in masses, or in strings in the water The young undergo what is known cies survive at all is cause for wonder. or in some other moist place. as metamorphosis. They pass through Nearly 200 million years ago, amphib- a larval, usually aquatic, stage before As with all Ohio wildlife, the only ians were the first creatures to emerge drastically changing form and becoming real threat to their continued existence from the seas to begin life on land. The adults. is habitat degradation and destruction. term amphibian comes from the Greek Only by conserving suitable habitat to- Ohio is fortunate in having many spe- amphi, which means dual, and bios, day will we enable future generations to cies of amphibians. Although generally meaning life. While it is true that many study and enjoy Ohio’s amphibians. inconspicuous most of the year, during amphibians live a double life — spend- the breeding season, especially follow- ing part of their lives in water and the ing a warm, early spring rain, amphib- rest on land — some never go into the ians appear in great numbers seemingly water and others never leave it.
    [Show full text]
  • Abundance, Distribution, Population Structure, and Substrate Use of Ambystoma Altamirani Along the Arroyo Los Axolotes, State of Mexico, Mexico
    Herpetological Conservation and Biology 15(1):188–197. Submitted: 16 August 2019; Accepted: 23 February 2020; Published: 30 April 2020. ABUNDANCE, DISTRIBUTION, POPULATION STRUCTURE, AND SUBSTRATE USE OF AMBYSTOMA ALTAMIRANI ALONG THE ARROYO LOS AXOLOTES, STATE OF MEXICO, MEXICO VIRIDIANA VILLARREAL HERNÁNDEZ1, GEOFFREY R. SMITH2, RAYMUNDO MONTOYA AYALA3, AND JULIO A. LEMOS-ESPINAL1,4 1Laboratorio de Ecología - Unidad de Biotecnología y Prototipos, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Avendina Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, 54090, México 2Department of Biology, Denison University, Granville, Ohio 43023, USA 3Laboratorio de Cómputo - Unidad de Biotecnología y Prototipos, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Avenida Los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, 54090, México 4Corresponding author: e-mail: [email protected] Abstract.—Ambystomatid salamanders in central Mexico are confronted by anthropogenic threats that can limit their distribution and abundance. Ambystoma altamirani (Mountain Stream Siredon) is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and as Threatened by the Mexican government. We report on the distribution, abundance, occupancy, population structure, and substrate use of A. altamirani, a stream dwelling salamander, along the Arroyo los Axolotes, Sierra de las Cruces, Mexico. We observed A. altamirani at least once during repeated surveys between February 2018 to December 2018 in 24 of 25 permanent 5-m long reaches separated by 40 m. The best model for occupancy had constant occupancy, detection, extinction, and colonization probabilities. Sites that dried at some time during the study had fewer observed individuals than those that did not dry. Size structure was relatively constant throughout the year, except for the appearance of small larvae in May, June, and July.
    [Show full text]