SREL Reprint #1993
Cloacal anatomy of paedomorphic female Ambystoma talpoideum (Caudata: Ambystomatidae), with comments on intermorph mating and sperm storage
STANLEY E. TRAUTH
Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University , AR 72467,
U.S.A.
DAVID M. SEVER
Department of Biology, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN 46556, U.S.A.
AND
RAYMOND D. SEMLITSCH
Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, U.S.A.
The cloacae anatomy of paedomorphic female Ambystoma talpoideum was
examined using light microscopy and histochemical techniques. Three types of
cloacal glands (anterior ventral glands, dorsal glands, and spermathecae) were
observed. Glandular morphology and secretary activity were documented from
seasonal samples collected in South Carolina. Maximal development of cloacal
glands corresponded to a peak in reproductive activity. Sperm-storage glands, the
spermathecae, contained sperm in specimens collected from November through
February. Although greatly hypertrophied during the breeding season, the anterior
ventral glands continue to release secretary material throughout the year. This
suggests that these glands could function in capacities other than those related to
reproduction. The rudimentary dorsal glands also contain sperm during the
breeding season; however, the occurrence of sperm in these glands is considered
to be incidental. The cloacal glands of paedomorphs are similar to those of
metamorphs. Interbreeding between morphs may occur and thus facilitate the
maintenance of both morphs in nature.
SREL Reprint #1993
Trauth, S.E., D.M. Sever, and R.D. Semlitsch. 1994. Cloacal anatomy of paedomorphic female Ambystoma talpoideum (Caudata: Ambystomatidae), with comments on intermorph mating and sperm storage. Canadian Journal of Zoology 72:2147-2157.
