How do we prepare specimens for scanning?
In order to observe the precise morphology of the head bones, we use a micro-computed tomography (micro-CT scanner). This is a 3D imaging technique using x-rays to see inside an object, slice by slice. For our project, we need to…
Filming salamanders at the Amphibian Foundation
Why salamanders are so special? Were you aware that Salamanders present the most important diversity of developmental strategies among vertebrates? Most salamander species have what we call a biphasic life cycle, meaning that, like the frogs, eggs are laid in…
Larval frosted flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) suction feeding
A larval frosted flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) suction feeding underwater, recorded using high-speed video.
Adult axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) suction feeding
An adult axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) suction feeding underwater, recorded using high-speed video.
Adult northern slimy salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) feeding
An adult northern slimy salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) feeding above water, recorded using high-speed video.
Adult tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) eating a cricket
An adult tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) eating a cricket above water, recorded using high-speed video.
A lesser siren (Siren intermedia) feeding
An adult lesser siren (Siren intermedia) eating a worm underwater, recorded using high-speed video.
Anderson’s salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) suction feeding
An Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) suction feeding underwater, recorded using high-speed video.
Adult frosted flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) feeding
An adult frosted flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) feeding above water, recorded using high-speed video.
Cranial anatomy of a larval Shovelnose salamander (Desmognathus marmoratus)
Check out this interactive, labeled Sketchfab model of a larval Shovelnose salamander (Desmognathus marmoratus) cranial skeleton.
When shapes become data
CT scans are a treasure trove of morphological data, particularly for the skeletal system. In this post we share how we use open-source software to collect landmarks and semilandmarks from CT data.
Catching and filming salamanders at the Amphibian Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
We traveled to the Amphibian Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States to catch and film salamanders! In this gallery we share photos of our fieldwork and how we set up the camera and lights to film feeding behaviours.
