A Host with the Most: Raising Maryland’s spotted salamander larvae, students study a unique example of symbiosis

👀 Did you know that spotted salamander larvae start their lives underwater? They feed on zooplankton such as copepods, water fleas, and small aquatic insects, to support their rapid development. It helps to fuel the formation of limbs, lungs, and other essential organs that they’ll use for metamorphosis. During metamorphosis, they absorb their gills, develop fully formed legs, and transition from an aquatic to a terrestrial lifestyle. Once complete, they leave the water and continue life on lan