Morphogenesis: Pharyngeal Arch Development in Ambystoma tigrinum

This study examines pharyngeal arch (PA) development in the eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) during transformation. The PA is a series of six arches that give structure to the gills and is involved in feeding and moving water across the pharyngeal and branchial chambers. Proper remodeling of the PA during transformation is essential to ensure proper respiratory functioning and feeding in terrestrial salamanders. Salamander carcasses were obtained from salamanders that died before, during, or after transformation to a terrestrial state. The carcasses were cleared and stained with alcian blue (cartilage identification) and alizarin red (bone identification) to evaluate PA remodeling during transformation. The majority of salamanders exhibited abnormal PA remodeling. Based on current findings, we hypothesize that the abnormal ossification may be in part due to a changed morphogenesis process.https://openriver.winona.edu/urc2019/1115/thumbnail.jp

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