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How does internal fertilization work in salamanders?
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Caudata
Tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) are widespread across much of the United States. Although they are generally black with yellow blotches, bars, spots, or even stripes, some are lighter in colour or have olive markings. Tiger salamanders belong to the mole salamander family, Ambystomatidae.
In most salamanders (order Caudata), fertilization is internal, a process that typically involves complex courtship behaviors rather than direct physical mating.12
The process generally functions as follows:
- Spermatophore Production: The male produces a spermatophore, which is a specialized sperm case consisting of a gelatinous base and a sperm-filled cap at the tip. This structure is created by glands located within the male's cloaca.12
- Courtship and Deposition: During courtship, which may involve tactile, visual, or chemical stimuli, the male deposits one or more spermatophores onto the ground or another surface.23
- Transfer: The female moves over the spermatophore—sometimes guided by the male—and takes the sperm mass into her cloaca.12
- Storage and Fertilization: Once inside the cloaca, the sperm may be stored in specialized chambers called spermathecae. Fertilization of the eggs occurs as they pass through the cloaca during deposition, though in some species, this process can be delayed for several months.2
This internal method contrasts with the external fertilization found in the suborder Cryptobranchoidea, where males shed milt directly over eggs deposited by the female.12