Effect of Environment and Ontogeny on Color Pattern Variation in Arizona Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum Hallowell)

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Abstract
We assessed effect of microhabitat and ontogeny on color pattern variation within and among three populations of Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum Hallowell from the Mogollon Rim of central Arizona [USA]. Laboratory and field observations show that salamander color correlates with substrate color and water transparency. Salamanders used environmental albedo to adjust their color. Larvae on black substrate or in clear water were dark-colored, whereas larae on white substrate or in turbid water were pale. Larvae remained light or dark through metamorphosis when maintained in a constant albedo environment. Metamorphosed salamanders also changed color relative to their substrate over 30-50 d. As metamorphosed salamanders aged they became lighter in color, regardless of substrate. Our observations suggest the ability to change color is adaptive because salamanders can be cryptic in diverse habitats. Despite changes due to microhabitat and ontogeny, color is a useful taxonomic character in A. t. nebulosum because it varies with in a range distinct from other members of the A. tigrinum complex.

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