| Paghman stream salamander | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Subclass: | Lissamphibia |
| Order: | Caudata |
| Family: | Hynobiidae |
| Genus: | Paradactylodon |
| Species: | P. mustersi |
| Binomial name | |
| Paradactylodon mustersi Smith, 1940 |
|
The Paghman stream salamander or the Afghani brook salamander (Paradactylodon mustersi) is a salamander endemic to Afghanistan. It inhabits cool highland streams. The total population is estimated to 1,000–2,000 adults. It is only found in an area of 10 km².
IUCN, Conservation International, and NatureServe, 2006. Global Amphibian Assessment www.globalamphibians.org
The Paradactylodon Mustersi, also known as the “Afghani Brook Salamander” is known to reside in the Paghman Mountains in Afghanistan, they live in “Fast running” waters ( The adults and the eggs or larvae in Calmer , deeper water) which are formed from melting glaciers. Currently it can only be found in Cold water, It has only been found in water ranging from 0 to 14 Degrees Celsius and nothing above this. The Salamanders range in size, the Males are bigger than the females. The largest they can be found are at about 18 cm. in length. They are not very similar to other Salamander Species in many respects. They may look very similar to Native Salamander species we can find in our own backyards, regardless of what country you reside in but unlike many other of this species the Afghani Salamander can feed in water, they are found under rocks in the fast running water or even catch a bite to eat on Land. They have long tongues which they use to catch prey, and the Adults prefer to catch prey bigger to their own size. The current population of the Afghani Brook Salamander are unknown at this time but older estimates numbered the Salamanders anywhere from 1000 to 2000, it is quite possible the numbers have gone down since the time of this count. They are expected to be found in the “Southern Slopes” of the Hindu Kush near Afghanistan. The population are declining due to the invasion of Humans on their land. Irrigation systems are built disturbing the Salamanders habitat. The more the land is being used by Humans expanding the worse it gets for The Afghani Salamander. Some tests were done according to one of the sources I found to see if the Afghani Salamanders' habitat could be duplicated but they did not survive for very long. In order to remain a part of Afghanistan's ecosystem the Salamander habitat needs to be conserved.
IUCN, Conservation International, and NatureServe, 2006. Global Amphibian Assessment www.globalamphibians.org