Question

Discuss the diversity of the Order Urodela. In your answer make reference to morphotypes, life history, neoteny and the distinction between ‘mole salamanders, true salamanders and newts’

Answer 1

Urodela is an order of amphibians. It include the organisms like newts and salamander. They range from few centimeters to about 1.5 meter in length. This order contain tailed arthopods. Also known as Caudata. They are found in the different part of the world. Triturus genus newts is found in Europe and North America. Spotted Salamander is found in Europe. Black salamander is found in Alpine region. Worm salamander is found in America.

The tailed amphibian possess many variation during the life-time. Spotted Salamander is viviparous. Alpine black salamander, are also viviparous.

Salamandar skin is highly permeable making them to adapt different environment condition like near water, some are terrestrial too. Some salamander are non-poisonous whereas some salamander secrete toxin called as tetrodotoxin. Salamanders have sensory areas that are of two types that help him to adapt to different chemical environment.

Salamenders differ in their respiratory organ. Some have gill, some have lungs, skin, membrane. Larvae of salamander respire by gill. Some neotenic species, retain gills as their respiratory organ throughout their life cycle.

All newts are salamanders, but not vice-versa. Newts live aquatic life , whereas salamendra live terrestrial life. Newts have webbed feet and a paddle-like tail whereas Salamander have rounded tails.

Mole salammanders, are advanced than true salamanders . Mole salammanders consist of diploid males and females.