Antipredator Adaptations of Salamanders: Evolution and Convergence Among Terrestrial Species

Brodie, Edmund D.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-8345-5_10

Cited by 49 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Interestingly, while Pleurodeles and Echinotriton protrude their ribs, Tylototriton does not (Nowak & Brodie Jr, 1978;Brodie Jr, 1983;Brodie Jr et al, 1984). It seems, therefore, that the use of ribs as concealed weapons within this monophyletic clade is ancestral rather than derived.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Skin secretions can be used to make the animal's surface slippery to promote escape (Stebbins & Cohen, 1997) or to make it sticky to immobilize a predator (Duellman & Trueb, 1994;Evans & Brodie Jr, 1994). Skin secretions can also be unpleasant tasting or irritating to mucous membranes, making the amphibian unpalatable to predators (Brandon, Labanick & Huheey, 1979;Brodie Jr, 1983;Duellman & Trueb, 1994). Some amphibian skin glands even synthesize noxious or poisonous substances to truly harm or kill would-be predators (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some amphibian skin glands even synthesize noxious or poisonous substances to truly harm or kill would-be predators (e.g. Furlotti, 1910;Vialli, 1934;Nowak & Brodie Jr, 1978;Brodie Jr, 1983;Brodie Jr & Smatresk, 1990;Erspamer, 1994;Daly, 1995;Delfino et al, 1995;Tsuruda et al, 2002;Daly, Spande & Garraffo, 2005). The skin secretion of P. waltl is harsh and ri, rib; v, vertebra. irritating to human mucous membranes (E. Heiss, pers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…CluttonBrock, 1982;Price & Allen, 2004). The use of ribs as 'concealed' weapons, however, is known only from two phylogenetically closely related salamander genera: Pleurodeles and Echinotriton (Leydig, 1879;Nowak & Brodie Jr, 1978;Brodie Jr, 1983;Brodie Jr et al, 1984). Echinotriton andersoni protrudes its ribs bearing 0-3 dorsally projecting epipleural processes (Nussbaum & Brodie Jr, 1982;Brodie Jr et al, 1984), and a spine projecting laterally from each quadrate bone (Brodie Jr et al, 1984).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among urodeles, the family Salamandridae has the greatest diversity of antipredator mechanisms (Brodie Jr, Nussbaum & DiGiovanni, 1984). In the salamandrid genus Pleurodeles and in the closely related genus Echinotriton, unique strategies to decrease palatability and increase survival rates have been described (Nowak & Brodie Jr, 1978;Brodie Jr, 1983;Brodie Jr et al, 1984). When attacked by a potential predator (or provoked with an adequate artificial stimulus), sharp spines appear on the lateral trunk sides.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hurt yourself to hurt your enemy: new insights on the function of the bizarre antipredator mechanism in the salamandridPleurodeles waltl

et al. 2010

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The Spanish ribbed newt Pleurodeles waltl shows a bizzare defensive mechanism against predators. X-ray analysis before and after a simulated threat shows that this newt rotates its ribs anteriorly. The maximum measured angle to which the ribs moved was 651. This forward movement causes the sharply pointed rib tips to lacerate the body wall and project freely from the sides of the trunk as spines. Light microscopy shows the microanatomy, and computed tomography shows the 3D morphology of these unusual weapons. They are 'spear-shaped' and hollow proximally, massive distally and are connected to the corresponding vertebra by a well-developed, two-headed joint. The skin in the penetration areas lacks permanent pores through which the ribs could be projected and is pierced de novo by every antipredator posturing. This investigation provides new insight into the functionality of a highly complex, integrated and unusual defensive strategy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Hurt yourself to hurt your enemy: new insights on the function of the bizarre antipredator mechanism in the salamandridPleurodeles waltl

et al. 2010

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Animal‐borne video from a sea turtle reveals novel anti‐predator behaviors

Hounslow

Jewell

Fossette³

et al. 2021

Ecology

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Three types of cutaneous glands in the skin of the salamandrid Pleurodeles waltl. A histological and ultrastructural study

Heiss

Natchev

Rabanser

et al. 2009

Journal of Morphology

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Histological and ultrastructural investigations revealed three different multicellular skin gland types in the salamandrid Pleurodeles waltl. The mucous glands are small, with one layer of secretory cells surrounding a central lumen; they produce the viscous and slippery mucus film that has various functions in amphibians. The serous glands can be divided based on their histological and ultrastructural characters into the granular gland Type I (GGI) and the granular gland Type II (GGII). The first type (GGI) is moderately sized and distributed throughout the body surface, with higher concentrations in the parotoid and back regions. In contrast, the second type (GGII) is very large (for Pleurodeles) and was found only in the tail, with highest concentration in the tail dorsum. Both granular gland types contain mainly proteinaceous materials but differ in their morphological features including size, shape, cellular organization and vesicle distribution, vesicle size and vesicle shape. Both GGI and GGII are especially concentrated in body parts that are presented to an attacking predator and are hypothesized to produce repellent to poisonous substances to thwart potential aggressors.

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Antipredator Adaptations of Salamanders: Evolution and Convergence Among Terrestrial Species

Cited by 49 publications

References 22 publications

Hurt yourself to hurt your enemy: new insights on the function of the bizarre antipredator mechanism in the salamandridPleurodeles waltl

Hurt yourself to hurt your enemy: new insights on the function of the bizarre antipredator mechanism in the salamandridPleurodeles waltl

Animal‐borne video from a sea turtle reveals novel anti‐predator behaviors

Three types of cutaneous glands in the skin of the salamandrid Pleurodeles waltl. A histological and ultrastructural study

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