Mudpuppy encyclopedia topics

MUDPUPPY - 2 reference results

Mudpuppies or waterdogs are aquatic salamanders of the family Proteidae. Their name originates from the misconception that they make a dog-like barking sound.

Taxonomy

Proteidae, is divided into two genera, Necturus with five North American species, and Proteus with one European species. They represent an ancient group, dating from the Pleistocene.

Necturus

Alabama Waterdog (Necturus alabamensis)
Gulf Coast Waterdog (Necturus beyeri)
Neuse River Waterdog (Necturus lewisi)
Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)
Dwarf Waterdog (Necturus punctatus)

Proteus

Olm (Proteus anguinus)

Life history

In contrast to many salamanders, mudpuppies never lose their gills during maturation from larvae. This aspect of their physiology is known as pedomorphosis. Despite having lungs, which appear to provide little use in respiration, mudpuppies spend their entire lives underwater. The adult gills resemble fish gills in many ways, but differ from fish gills in that they are external and lack any form or operculum or covering. The bright red exposed gills are often found closed against the body in cool, highly oxygenated water. In warmer, poorly oxygenated water, the gills expand to increase water circulation and provide greater surface area for oxygen in-take. Mudpuppies also absorb oxygen through their skin and by occasionally breathing air at the surface.

Mudpuppies prefer shallow lakes and streams that have slow moving water and rocks to hide under, but have been found in up to 90 feet of water. The mudpuppy diet consists of small fish and many invertebrates, including crayfish, snails, and worms. Mudpuppies mature at four to six years and can live to be more than twenty years old. Progenesis is common for mudpuppies, enabling them to reach sexual maturity in their larval stage.

Even though they eat fish eggs, negative effects on fish populations have not been documented. Fishermen have been known to catch mudpuppies, sometimes in large numbers, but most often when ice fishing.

To distinguish between a larval mudpuppy and other larval salamanders, note that larval mudpuppies have distinct longitudinal banding and four toes on their hind legs, the combination of which is not found in most larval salamanders within the same range. The main difference between a mudpuppy and a siren is that, whereas mudpuppies have both front and hind legs, a siren will only have one pair of very small front legs.