Northern ravine salamander
Scientific classification Edit this 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

The northern ravine salamander (Plethodon electromorphus) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. The species is endemic to the United States.

Geographic range

The northern ravine salamander has been found in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.[1]

Habitat

The natural habitats of P. electromorphus are temperate forests and rocky areas.[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

  1. 1 2 3 4 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Highton R (1999). "Hybridization in the Contact Zone between Plethodon richmondi and Plethodon electromorphus in Northern Kentucky". Herpetologica 55 (1): 91-105.
  4. 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).



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