Salamander (orig. from Persian: sām, "fire", and andarūn, "within") is the common name for a group of approximately 500 species of amphibians typically characterized by slender bodies, short legs, and long tails. They have four front toes and their hind legs have five. Their moist skin usually makes them reliant on habitats in or near water or under some protection on moist ground, often in a swamp. Some salamander species are aquatic throughout life, some take to the water intermittently, and some are entirely terrestrial as adults. They lay eggs in water. Uniquely among vertebrates, they are capable of regenerating lost limbs, as well as other body parts, in a process known as ecdysis.
Respiration differs among the different species of salamanders. In those that retain lungs respiration is done through the gills as water passes over the gill slits. Some salamanders that are terrestrial have lungs that are used in respiration similar to that in mammals. However, some terrestrial species lack both lungs and gills and perform gas exchange through their skin, a process known as valarian respiration in which the capillary beds are spread throughout the epidermis.
Hunting is yet another unique aspect of salamanders. Muscles surrounding the hyoid bone contract to create pressure and actually "shoot" the hyoid bone out of the mouth along with the tongue. The tip of the tongue is composed of mucus which creates a sticky end to which the prey is captured. Muscles in the pelvic region are used in order to reel the tongue and the hyoid back to its original position.
Salamanders split off from the other amphibians during the Mesozoic, and initially were similar to modern members of the Cryptobranchoidea. Any resemblance to lizards is the result of convergence of the basic tetrapod body plan, as they are no more closely related to lizards than they are to mammals. Their nearest relatives are the caecilians, little known legless amphibians.
Habitat
Species of salamanders are numerous and found in most moist or arid habitats in the northern hemisphere. The salamander is the largest reptile and amphibian in the world. Most are small, but some reach up to 5 inches (130 mm) in length. They live in brooks,creeks,ponds and other moist locations such as under rocks. North America has the hellbender and the mudpuppy which can reach the length of a foot (30 cm) or more. In Japan and China the giant salamander is found, which reaches 6 feet (1.8 m) and weighs up to 30 kilograms.[1][2]. There are ten families belonging to the order Urodela, divided into three suborders:
Development
The life history of salamanders is similar to other amphibians such as frogs. The life cycle begins with an egg stage, usually laid the previous winter in a pond. A larval stage follows in which the organism is legless and fully aquatic. The salamander possesses gills at this point. It is important to note that some species (such as Dunn's Salamander (Plethodon dunni)) of salamander exhibit no larval stage. Neoteny has been observed in all salamander families, in which an individual may retain gills into sexual maturity. This may be universally possible in all salamander species[3]. More commonly, however, metamorphosis continues with the loss of gills, the growth of legs, and the capability of the animal to function terrestrially.
Mythology
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Numerous legends have developed around the salamander over the centuries, many related to fire. This connection likely originates from the tendency of many salamanders to dwell inside rotting logs. When placed into a fire, the salamander would attempt to escape from the log, lending to the belief that salamanders were created from flames - a belief that gave the creature its name.
Associations of the salamander with fire appear in the Talmud and the Hadith, as well as in the writings of Conrad Lycosthenes, Benvenuto Cellini, Ray Bradbury, David Weber, Paracelsus and Leonardo da Vinci.
Popular culture
- See also Newts in Popular culture
- See also Salamander (legendary creature) in popular culture. Salamanders as creatures with an affinity for fire belong in that article. This section covers the natural creatures.
- Literature
- In Karel Čapek´s science fiction novel War with the Newts, also called War with the Salamanders, the species Andrias scheuchzeri takes the main role.
- Salamanders are also known as minor snake demons according to lore.citation needed
- In the Spiderwick Chronicles: the Wrath of Mulgarath (book 5), salmanders are baby dragons needing only cows milk to become full-fledged dragons.
- Gaming
- Salamander is a Konami shooting game.
- In Earthworm Jim 2, there is a stage where Jim transforms from an earthworm to a blind cave salamander.
- In Dungeon Keeper 2, salamanders are one of the earliest unit types available to the player.
- In the Kingdom of Loathing, players can cast a spell during combat which turns the enemy into either a salamander, newt, or frog.
- In Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur, the protagonist Arthur is able to turn into a salamander using magic. In the game the salamander possesses resistance to fire.
- In Final Fantasy Tactics, the Salamander is a spell that can be performed by the summonner class.
- In Chrono Cross, The Salamander Element is used by Red only Innate characters.
- Animation
- In the Pokémon franchise, Wooper and its evolved form, Quagsire are salamanders; Mudkip and its evolutions fill the same role. Salamence and Charmander are salamander-like Pokémon with characteristics of the mythical salamander (especially since both their names are derived from salamander).
- In Naruto, the character Kankuro has a defensive puppet called Sanshouo, which means Salamander in Japanese. The puppet also has a strong resemblance to its namesake. Another character is known as "Salamander" Hanzo, and can summon giant salamanders to use in battle.
- Cytomander, a character from the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann anime series, has his name formed from the combination of Salamander and the chemical component Cytosine.
- Dance
- The Salamander Homp was a dance craze in the early 80's that filled the void between disco and break dancing.citation needed
Notes
- ^ Digitally tagging and releasing.
- ^ International Giant Salamander Protection Site.
- ^ Salamander Neoteny.
References
External references
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