Physiology

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Physiological Differences Between Mole Salamander Phenotypes

       
paedomorphic tiger salamander                                     metamorphic tiger salamander

I have been collaborating with Howard Whiteman at Murray State University, and two graduate students (Chris Currens and Marlo Swaldo) here at the University of Akron to compare the physiology of two distinct life history phenotypes of Mole Salamanders.  We have been focusing on two different species (mole salamanders and tiger salamanders) which show a life history polymorphism with some individuals remaining aquatic indefinitely or their entire lives (paedomorphs) and those which leave their natal ponds and become terrestrial (metamorphs).  Please have a look at Howard's web page for more information on the polymorphism.  At Akron, we have been studying differences in resting metabolic rates to see if there are energetic costs/benefits associated with one or the other phenotype.

What We Have Found So Far:

Christopher R. Currens, Peter H. Niewiarowski, and Howard H. Whiteman
Submitted to Herpetologica