A posthatching developmental staging table for the long-toed salamander, Ambystoma macrodactylum krausei

Abstract

AbstractA posthatching developmental staging table for the larval phase of an ambystomatid salamander is provided for the first time. Stage boundaries are based upon limb development prior to the metamorphic transition and upon gill resorption during metamorphosis. Comparison to other published staging tables for salamanders of other families and anecdotal accounts of other ambystomatids is made, and similarities and differences are noted. These comparative data suggest that limb development may differ between species of Ambystoma in terms of the relative timing of hindlimb and forelimb morphogenesis.