Northern ravine salamander
The northern ravine salamander (Plethodon electromorphus) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. The species is endemic to the United States.
| Northern ravine salamander | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Plethodontidae |
| Subfamily: | Plethodontinae |
| Genus: | Plethodon |
| Species: | P. electromorphus |
| Binomial name | |
| Plethodon electromorphus Highton, 1999 | |
Geographic range
The northern ravine salamander has been found in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.[1]
Conservation status
The species P. electromorphus is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.[1]
Description
The northern ravine salamander is a small terrestrial salamander, 7.5–11.5 cm (3.0–4.5 in) in total length. It is elongated, slender, and short-legged. Its coloration is brown to nearly black, sprinkled with minute silvery white and bronzy or brassy specks. It has very small, irregular white blotches on the lower sides, and a virtually plain dark belly with a lightly mottled chin.[2]
Taxonomy
The northern ravine salamander was previously considered to be a part of Plethodon richmondi (southern ravine salamander). Electrophoresis, from which the specific name electromorphus is derived, was used to distinguish them.[3]
Behavior
The northern ravine salamander is less aggressive than the more widespread red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus).[4]
References
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2014). "Plethodon electromorphus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T59338A56366748. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T59338A56366748.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- Powell, Robert; Conant, Roger; Collins, Joseph T. (2016). Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Fourth Edition. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 81. ISBN 978-0-544-12997-9.
- Highton R (1999). "Hybridization in the Contact Zone between Plethodon richmondi and Plethodon electromorphus in Northern Kentucky". Herpetologica 55 (1): 91-105.
- Deitloff, Jennifer; Church, James O.; Adams, Dean C.; Jaeger, Robert G. (2009). "Interspecific Agonistic Behaviors in a Salamander Community: Implications for Alpha Selection". Herpetologica 65 (2): 174–182.
Further reading
- Highton R (1999). "Geographic protein variation and speciation in the salamanders of the Plethodon cinereus group with the description of two new species". Herpetologica 55 (1): 43–90. (Plethodon electromorphus, new species).