National Geographic News, Reporting Your World Daily

Monday, November 23, 2009

Photo: Hybrid "Superpredator" Invading California Ponds


Email to a Friend	<< Back to Full Story

A "supersize" hybrid salamander is gulping down smaller amphibians—such as Pacific chorus frogs (F, the frog in its larval stage) and California newts (E, the newt in its larval stage)—in ponds throughout California's Salinas Valley, a June 2009 study found.

The voracious hybrid (D, the largest variety, and C, the smallest) is a blend of the native California tiger salamander (A, the largest variety, and B, the smallest) and the invasive barred tiger salamander (not pictured).

Photograph courtesy Brian MacElvaine