Fourche Mountain salamander
| Fourche Mountain salamander | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Caudata |
| Family: | Plethodontidae |
| Genus: | Plethodon |
| Species: | P. fourchensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Plethodon fourchensis Duncan & Highton, 1979 | |
The Fourche Mountain salamander (Plethodon fourchensis) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to the Ouachita Mountains in the central United States. Its natural habitat is temperate forests and it is threatened by habitat loss.
Description
The Fourche Mountain salamander has a sturdier body shape than most of the other salamander species in the locality. The back is black with two rows of irregular grey blotches and a speckling of smaller pale spots. The underside is dark with a few lighter spots and the chin is pale.[2]
Distribution and habitat
The Fourche Mountain salamander only occurs in the Fourche Mountains, the Shut-In Mountains and the eastern side of Iron Fork Mountain in the Ouachita Mountain range in Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. It is found in deciduous woodland high in the mountains especially in ravines and on north facing slopes. It sometimes hybridizes with the Rich Mountain salamander (Plethodon ouachitae) where their ranges overlap on the western side of Fourche Mountain.[3]
Biology
The Fourche Mountain salamander hides in undergrowth and under rocks and logs. It mainly feeds at night on small invertebrates such as insects, spiders and worms. Between May and September when the weather is hot and dry it may aestivate underground, emerging to forage during any wet periods that may occur. It probably hibernates between November and March.[3] Little is known of its breeding habits but they are likely to be similar to the Rich Mountain salamander. The eggs are laid in underground chambers and brooded by the female, there is no aqueous larval stage and direct development takes place into juvenile salamanders. Females may breed in the fall or winter in alternate years.[1][3]
Status
The Fourche Mountain salamander is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Within its range it is often locally abundant but its restricted distribution make it susceptible to disturbance and habitat degradation. Some protection is provided by the fact that its entire range occurs within the Ouachita National Forest.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 Hammerson, Geoffrey (2004). "Plethodon fourchensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
- ↑ "Family: Plethodontidae (Lungless Salamanders): Fourche Mountain Salamander". Herps of Arkansas. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
- 1 2 3 Anthony, Carl D. (2005). "Plethodon fourchensis". AmphibiaWeb. Retrieved 2012-09-06.