scholarly journals No Sexual Dimorphism Detected in Digit Ratios of the Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra)

2015 ◽  
Vol 298 (10) ◽  
pp. 1786-1795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Balogová ◽  
Emma Nelson ◽  
Marcel Uhrin ◽  
Mária Figurová ◽  
Valent Ledecký ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Digit Ratios ◽  
Fire Salamander ◽  
Salamandra Salamandra

scholarly journals Cranial integration in the fire salamander, Salamandra salamandra (Caudata: Salamandridae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margot Bon ◽  
Carla Bardua ◽  
Anjali Goswami ◽  
Anne-Claire Fabre
Keyword(s):  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
High Dimensional ◽  
Phenotypic Integration ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Fire Salamander ◽  
Salamandra Salamandra ◽  
Static Level ◽  
Cranial Shape

Abstract Phenotypic integration and modularity are concepts that represent the pattern of connectivity of morphological structures within an organism. Integration describes the coordinated variation of traits, and analyses of these relationships among traits often reveals the presence of modules, sets of traits that are highly integrated but relatively independent of other traits. Phenotypic integration and modularity have been studied at both the evolutionary and static level across a variety of clades, although most studies thus far are focused on amniotes, and especially mammals. Using a high-dimensional geometric morphometric approach, we investigated the pattern of cranial integration and modularity of the Italian fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra giglioli). We recovered a highly modular pattern, but this pattern did not support either entirely developmental or functional hypotheses of cranial organisation, possibly reflecting complex interactions amongst multiple influencing factors. We found that size had no significant effect on cranial shape, and that morphological variance of individual modules had no significant relationship with degree of within-module integration. The pattern of cranial integration in the fire salamander is similar to that previously recovered for caecilians, with highly integrated jaw suspensorium and occipital regions, suggesting possible conservation of patterns across lissamphibians.

scholarly journals Environmental levels of oestrogenic and antiandrogenic compounds feminize digit ratios in male rats and their unexposed male progeny

2013 ◽  
Vol 280 (1768) ◽  
pp. 20131532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Auger ◽  
Dominique Le Denmat ◽  
Raymond Berges ◽  
Ludivine Doridot ◽  
Benjamin Salmon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Endocrine Disruptors ◽  
Digit Ratio ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Ratio Measurement ◽  
Male Progeny ◽  
Digit Ratios ◽  
Gestational Exposure ◽  
Prenatal Androgen

Digit length ratios, especially the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D : 4D), are associated with various pathological and behavioural conditions in many species including humans and are dependent upon prenatal androgen to oestrogen balance. It is unknown whether digit ratios are modified by environmental exposure to ubiquitous endocrine disruptors . We studied the effect on adult male Wistar rat digit ratios of a gestational exposure to the oestrogenic and antiandrogenic compounds bisphenol A (BPA), genistein and vinclozolin, in low doses, and in combination with investigating in parallel a possible sexual dimorphism of this trait. We also investigated the effects on the male progeny not exposed during gestation. X-rays were taken of the left and right forepaws, and 2D–5D proximal to distal phalanx distances were measured by a standardized procedure based on semi-automatic image analysis. We provide evidence that there is a sexual dimorphism of digit ratios in the Wistar rat, and we found that BPA alone or in combination with genistein and vinclozolin significantly feminized digit ratios in male rats. Intriguingly, significant feminization of digit ratios was also found in the unexposed male progeny of males that had been exposed to compound mixtures. In conclusion, prenatal environmental levels of endocrine-active substances permanently disrupt digit ratios. Digit ratio measurement in adults is thus a promising biomarker of prenatal exposure to low-dose endocrine disruptors in rodents, with potential implications for future studies in humans.

scholarly journals Ultrasonography: a method used for pregnancy imaging of the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra)

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 715-722
Author(s):  
A. Najbar ◽  
Z. Kiełbowicz ◽  
J. Szymczak ◽  
M. Ogielska
Keyword(s):  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Length Measurements ◽  
Fire Salamander ◽  
Minimum Number ◽  
Salamandra Salamandra ◽  
Gravid Females ◽  
Lower Silesia ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract Ultrasound imaging has more frequently been used in veterinary medicine of amphibians and reptiles. In this study, we have verified the usefulness of ultrasound imaging in pregnancy determination of the fire salamander Salamandra salamandra. We have also undertaken to estimate the number of larvae and their developmental stage directly in the oviducts. Three gravid females from Lower Silesia (southern Poland) were examined. Due to the small size of the scanned animals, and the particular arrangement of embryos in the oviducts and ultrasound beams dispersal, the method proved to be inaccurate. Therefore, the minimum number of well-visualized larvae was determined. The maximum number of larvae was established on the basis of the visible fragments of embryos. After birth, we found that the number of larvae born was included in the „min-max” range in only one case. In the remaining two salamanders the number of larvae was higher than estimated in 3 to 7 individuals. The results showed that ultrasound imaging allows the minimum number of larvae in salamander; oviducts to be specified. However, total length measurements were possible only for single and clearly visible embryos.

scholarly journals Contributions to the functional morphology of caudate skulls: kinetic and akinetic forms

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolay Natchev ◽  
Stephan Handschuh ◽  
Simeon Lukanov ◽  
Nikolay Tzankov ◽  
Borislav Naumov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Morphology ◽  
Similar Degree ◽  
Specific Combination ◽  
Skull Roof ◽  
Fire Salamander ◽  
The Common ◽  
Flexible Connections ◽  
Salamandra Salamandra

A strongly ossified and rigid skull roof, which prevents parietal kinesis, has been reported for the adults of all amphibian clades. Our μ-CT investigations revealed that the Buresch’s newt (Triturus ivanbureschi) possess a peculiar cranial construction. In addition to the typical amphibian pleurokinetic articulation between skull roof and palatoquadrate associated structures, we found flexible connections between nasals and frontals (prokinesis), vomer and parasphenoid (palatokinesis), and between frontals and parietals (mesokinesis). This is the first description of mesokinesis in urodelans. The construction of the skull in the Buresch’s newts also indicates the presence of an articulation between parietals and the exocipitals, discussed as a possible kind of metakinesis. The specific combination of pleuro-, pro-, meso-, palato-, and metakinetic skull articulations indicate to a new kind of kinetic systems unknown for urodelans to this date. We discuss the possible neotenic origin of the skull kinesis and pose the hypothesis that the kinesis inT. ivanbureschiincreases the efficiency of fast jaw closure. For that, we compared the construction of the skull inT. ivanbureschito the akinetic skull of the Common fire salamanderSalamandra salamandra. We hypothesize that the design of the skull in the purely terrestrial living salamander shows a similar degree of intracranial mobility. However, this mobility is permitted by elasticity of some bones and not by true articulation between them. We comment on the possible relation between the skull construction and the form of prey shaking mechanism that the species apply to immobilize their victims.

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