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Which salamanders live in caves and why do some cave species lack pigment?

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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.

Several species of salamanders are adapted to life in caves. Notable examples of these cave-dwelling forms include Proteus, Haideotriton, and Typhlomolge.1

These specialized salamanders often exhibit a lack of pigment and are blind. This reduction or loss of pigmentation is an evolutionary adaptation to the aphotic (lightless) environment of deep caves, where protective coloration is unnecessary for camouflage or protection against ultraviolet radiation. Similarly, the loss of vision is common in subterranean species, as eyes provide no survival advantage in total darkness.1