Spotted Salamander Symbiosis: Content Primer

Resources

For further study

• Obligate and facultative relationships
  Symbiotic relationships may also be described as obligate (completely dependent on the relationship) and facultative (not completely dependent on one another).
• Immune system development
  How does the immune system develop in early stages of development?
• Innate and adaptive immunity
  Review innate immunity and adaptive immunity.

Articles

• Phylogenetic Analysis of Algal Symbionts Associated with Four North American Amphibian Egg Masses (PLOS ONE research article on algal symbionts, Kim et al, 2014)
• “Salamander's Hefty Role in the Forest” (New York Times, April 7, 2014) 
• “The trophic role of a forest salamander: impacts on invertebrates, leaf litter retention, and the humification process.” (Ecosphere article on woodland salamanders, Best et al, 2014)

Videos

• Spotted Salamander Migration and Reproduction
  This Maryland Sea Grant video shows the spring migration of the spotted salamander and parts of the reproductive cycle in a vernal pool in the Frederick Municipal Forest, Frederick County, MD.
• The Natural Heritage of Indiana: Life in the Water
  This documentary takes viewers into water habitats, where they will witness the diversity of life that exists. Sometimes, the life cycles take place on a nearly microscopic level. Elsewhere, the program reveals prehistoric looking fish and amphibians that still inhabit the landscape, as well as waterfowl. Vernal pool footage: 10:42–20:00 
• Algal Endosymbiosis in Salamanders
  An overview of a study of intracellular invasion of green algae in a salamander host ( Kerney et al. 2011)
• PBS News Hour: A New Genetic Map That Could Make Your Skin Crawl
  Scientists with the Human Microbiome Project have completed the first microbial map of healthy humans. Jeffrey Brown speaks with Dr. Eric Green, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute.
• BBC's The Trials of Life: Episode 7, Living Together
  David Attenborough looks at how, for better or worse, many animals form surprising partnerships. Birds rid larger animals of itchy hangers-on, hermit crabs enlist stinging anemones to repel predatory octopuses and others use their hosts in less benign ways. Note: video no longer available
• Ant and Butterfly Symbiosis
  A National Geographic video on the symbiotic relationship between ants and butterfly caterpillars.
• Symbiotic Relationships: Mutualism, Commensalism & Parasitism
  In this lesson, learn the many types of symbiosis in biology, and how these relationships can have a positive, negative, or neutral effect on the individual species.
• Jonathan Bird's Blue World: Symbiosis In The Sea
  In this webisode Jonathan explores different types of symbiosis in the ocean, including mutualism, commensalism and parasitism, and how animals use it for survival.

Websites

• Maryland DNR: Discover Maryland’s Herps
  Maryland Department of Natural Resources website focusing on the amphibians and reptiles that make their home in Maryland.
• Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas (MARA)
  The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas (MARA) is a five-year, joint project of the Natural History Society of Maryland and Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The goal of the MARA project was to document the current distributions of Maryland’s amphibian and reptile species using a systematic and repeatable approach.
• Natural History Society of Maryland
  A Maryland-based non-profit that focuses on conserving natural history collections, educating citizens, and inspiring youth to study the natural sciences.
• Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) and Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG)
  The Amphibian Survival Alliance and the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group work with over 100 partners around the world to develop projects and invest in the protection of amphibians.
• Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR)
  A not-for-profit organization established to advance research, conservation, and education concerning amphibians and reptiles.
• Short guide to axoloti husbandry
  Husbandry techniques for larval salamanders.