Natural autotriploidy in salamanders

Abstract
The frequency of autotriploidy in naturally occurring diploid populations of salamanders was investigated by use of flow cytometry of erythrocyte nuclei. Eight autotriploids were discovered from among a sample of over 1700 individuals representing 16 species of North American salamanders. Information from published records of autopolyploidy in natural and laboratory populations of urodeles is compiled and the possible role of autotriploidy in the evolution of this group is discussed.Key words: salamanders, polyploidy, amphibia, autotriploidy, nuclear DNA, flow cytometry.