Britannica Sources used in this answer

What is a spermatophore in salamander reproduction?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Study an amphibious tiger salamander of the mole salamander family Ambystomatidae in its natural habitat — 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 the order Caudata, a spermatophore is a specialized sperm case used by males to facilitate internal fertilization.12

Because most salamanders practice internal fertilization rather than the external fertilization found in primitive suborders like Cryptobranchoidea, they rely on this structure for successful reproduction. A spermatophore consists of a gelatinous base, produced by the male's cloacal glands, topped with a sperm cap.12

During courtship, the male deposits one or more of these structures onto the ground or another surface. The female then moves onto the spermatophore—either on her own or guided by the male—and takes the sperm mass into her cloaca. Once inside, the sperm may be used to fertilize eggs immediately or stored in specialized chambers called spermathecae for later use.2