Amphiuma

Amphiuma
	Two-toed Amphiuma
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Subclass:	Lissamphibia
Order:	Caudata
Suborder:	Salamandroidea
Family:	Amphiumidae; Gray, 1825
Genus:	Amphiuma; Garden, 1821
Species
	Amphiuma means; Amphiuma pholeter; Amphiuma tridactylum

Amphiuma is a genus of aquatic salamanders. They are the only genus still living in the family Amphiumidae. They are sometimes called "conger eels" or "congo snakes", which is not correct. Amphiumas have one of the largest amounts of DNA in the living world, around 25 times more than a human.^[2]

Description

Amphiumas have a long body. They are generally grey-black in color. They do have legs but they are very small. Amphiumas can be up to 116 cm (46 in) long, their legs are only up to about 2 cm (0.79 in). It is because of this that they are often mistaken for eels or snakes. They also do not have eyelids or a tongue.^[3]

Female amphiumas lay their eggs in wet mud. They then stay coiled around them for about five months, until they hatch. The larvae have external gills. After about four months these external gills disappear and the lungs begin to work.

Distribution

Amphiumas live in the southeastern part of the United States.

In the past they have lived in more areas. Fossils from the Pleistocene time show that they once lived in Europe.

Behavior

During the day amphiumas hide in plants. At night they become active and go hunting. Their prey include frogs, snakes, fish, crustaceans, insects and even other amphiumas. Hunting and eating habits are similar to that of the Axolotl. They suck food into their stomachs with vacuum force. They can become aggressive.

Species

There are three amphiuma species. They are different because of the number of toes:

Three-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma tridactylum)
Two-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma means)
One-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma pholeter)

Amphiuma Media

Amphiuma tridactylum (three-toed amphiuma)
Two-toed Amphiuma
Amphiuma pholeter from Leon County, Florida
Amphiuma lung with a magnified portion of the lung to show the amphiuma vascular tissue.
Amphiuma digestive tract. Specimen from the Pacific Lutheran University Natural History collection, dissection and photos by Misty Lang and Nina Thach.

References

↑ J. Alan Holman (2006). Fossil Salamanders of North America. Life of the past. Indiana University Press. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-253-34732-9.
↑ "Junk DNA and the Onion Test" 1 June 2008.
↑ Lanza, B., Vanni, S., & Nistri A. (1998). Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 72. ISBN 0-12-178560-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Other websites

[1] J. Alan Holman (2006). Fossil Salamanders of North America. Life of the past. Indiana University Press. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-253-34732-9.

[2] "Junk DNA and the Onion Test" 1 June 2008.

[EoR-3] Lanza, B., Vanni, S., & Nistri A. (1998). Cogger, H.G. & Zweifel, R.G. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 72. ISBN 0-12-178560-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

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