Image: Ventral biofluorescence in Ichthyosaura alpestris - 41598 2020 59528 Fig1 (cropped) (cropped)

Description: Biofluorescent patterns are variable across salamander diversity and anatomy. We observed biofluorescence across the salamander radiation. Salamanders with bold patterns and colors fluoresce brightly (e.g., Ambystoma tigrinum), and dorsal surfaces often fluoresce less intensely than ventral surfaces (e.g., Ichthyosaura alpestris) depending on patterning. In some salamanders (e.g., Ambystoma opacum) bones (e.g., dentary, digits) that are otherwise not visible under white light fluoresce distinctly, as does the cloacal region. Included are white light images of three species (A. tigrinum, Pseudobranchus striatus, I. alpestris) above images depicting biofluorescence. Biofluorescence was imaged by exposing individuals to blue light (440–460 nm) and viewing them through a yellow long pass filter (500 nm).
Title: Ventral biofluorescence in Ichthyosaura alpestris - 41598 2020 59528 Fig1 (cropped) (cropped)
Credit: Lamb, J.Y., Davis, M.P. Salamanders and other amphibians are aglow with biofluorescence. Sci Rep 10, 2821 (2020). doi:10.1038/s41598-020-59528-9
Author: Lamb, J.Y., Davis, M.P. (2020)
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