Necturus
| Necturus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Necturus maculosus maculosus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Caudata |
| Suborder: | Salamandroidea |
| Family: | Proteidae |
| Genus: | Necturus (Rafinesque, 1818) |
| Species | |
|
6, See text | |
Necturus is a genus of aquatic salamanders found only in the eastern United States and Canada. They are commonly known as waterdogs and mudpuppies. The common mudpuppy (N. maculosus) is probably the most well-known species in this group. The last species described was in 1937.
Species
- Common mudpuppy (N. maculosus) (Rafinesque, 1818) [1]
- Red River mudpuppy (N. louisianensis) Viosca, 1938
- Alabama waterdog (N. alabamensis) Viosca, 1937
- Gulf Coast waterdog (N. beyeri) Viosca, 1937
- Neuse River waterdog (N. lewisi) Brimley, 1924
- Dwarf waterdog (N. punctatus) (Gibbes, 1850)
Taxonomy
The genus Necturus is under scrutiny by herpetologists. The relationship between the species is still being studied, and more changes are sure to come. Most recently, the Red River mudpuppy (N. louisianensis) was elevated to full species status, after being considered only a subspecies of the common mudpuppy (N. maculosus), but not all herpetologists agree on this change.
References
- ↑ As an amphibian with gill slits, it is often dissected in comparative anatomy classes.