Hermaphrodite Fire Salamander

[mike]

ONLY KIDDING!
Having kept,and observed Fire salamanders in their natural surroundings for 40 odd years,I have always marvelled at how variable a species/sub species can be,from even remarkably close localities. (With the possible exception of Salamandra.s.s. and S.s.terrestris.)
Therefore,when a male S.s.gallaica died after 20 years in captivity,and I did`nt have a replacement adult from the same locality,I kept her singly,for 3 years,whilst growing on her future mate.
She has produced larvae for 3 years in succession. This is obviously due to her retaining sperm from a mating 4 years previously.
I have seen this also in S.algira.Has anyone had similar experiences?

 

[jennifer]

That is really amazing! I would be a little surprised by 1 year, but 4 years, wow.

 

[sergé]

This is a great observation. Did you see any change in viability of the larvae she produced? It is known they can retain sperm, but this is an incredible length.
It is a good explination how new populations can start with just one salamander (and therefor all animals look more or less like the mother)! It perfectly fits the idea that genetical variation within a population can be very low.
I don't think many people have the experience, because most people don't keep single animals for so long. But you should definately publish this somewhere!

greetings,
Sergé

 

[mike]

Hi Serge,

My records show that she produced 15 viable larvae the first year, numbers decreasing to 12 and 5 larvae in subsequent years.
I assume that any unfertilised ova were consumed by the remaining developing larvae.
I shall keep her singly until next spring, to see if she becomes gravid again!

Greetings.........Mike.

 

[sergé]

Hi Mike,

great! I know there is some literature on this so, you can put that together and write a short piece if you want (or we can do it together if you are not the writing type...;-).
But let's wait until spring and see then what happens.
She didn't put of unfertilised eggs (mine did the first years when they were becoming adults).

greetings, Sergé

 

[mike]

Hi Serge,

No, she didn`t produce any unfertilised eggs.
I would like to collaborate with you in publishing an article next year.

Best wishes, Mike.

 

[sergé]

Hi Mike,

we forgot this item a bit, but can we pick it up?
Is the remarkable women still alive, and did she reproduce?

Sergé

 

[mike]

Hi Serge'

Yes she is still alive, and very gravid.

She didn't produce any youngsters this spring, so I introduced her to her new partner, it seems that she will produce this autumn though.

 

[TJ]

That's a fantastic accomplishment, Mike -- both on your part and hers

 

[mike]

Thanks Tim, but I didn't personally have a lot to do with it.

It's odd though that she has switched seasons, she always produces in the spring, obviously couldn't wait.

 

[edward]

Did you rear the larva to a sexable size? The sperm retention is not necessarily the case (although it is a possibility) as a number of reptile species have given true "virgin" birth (all were live bearing species). In the snake equivalents the offspring were all males.

Ed

 

[mike]

Yes I did Ed, both sexes. Approx 50/50.

 

[edward]

Interesting.

Ed