Lipid Keratopathy in a Group of Zoo-Housed California Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma californiense)

Abstract Bilateral lipid keratopathy was detected in 13 of 30 zoo-housed California tiger salamanders ( Ambystoma californiense ) over an 8 yr period (2012–2020). Despite being one of the most commonly described ocular lesions of captive anurans, documented in numerous frog species, there are very few reports of lipid keratopathy in salamanders. Retrospective evaluation of relationships between lesion development and sex, body weight, and tonometry measurements was performed. There was a strong positive association between female sex and development of lipid keratopathy lesions. Females also had significantly higher maximum body weights, followed by larger degrees of weight loss than males maintained on the same diet. The results of this retrospective study suggest that reproductive management strategies including opportunities to spawn, as well as preventing obesity from occurring, may play an important role in preventing lipid keratopathy in California tiger salamanders under human care.