Growth and Metamorphosis of the Ringed Salamander

Observations of the ringed salamander, Ambystoma annulatum, from Stone County, Missouri, were made during 1983 and 1984. Deposition of eggs on land and development of eggs out of the water were observed. Larvae hatched at a mean total length of 11.4 mm and metamorphosed at a mean total length of 65.5 mm. The length of the larval period ranged from 228-258 days. Growth throughout the larval period was constant and best explained by the regression of total length on age in days. High correlations were found between mean total length and snout-vent length and between mean total length and weight. Cannibalism was observed in the field and aquaria, but was not seen in dissected specimens. Major food items consisted of copepods, cladocerans and dipteran larvae. Adult coloration was completed within two months after transformation.