Many-lined salamander

"Stereochilus" redirects here. For the Asian orchid genus, see Stereochilus (orchid).
Many-lined salamander
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Caudata
Family: Plethodontidae
Genus: Stereochilus
Species: S. marginatus
Binomial name
Stereochilus marginatus
(Hallowell, 1856)

The many-lined salamander (Stereochilus marginatus) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is monotypic within the genus Stereochilus. It is endemic to the United States.

Its natural habitats are temperate forests, rivers, swamps, freshwater lakes, and freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Physical Description

Stereochilus marginatus are small salamanders, generally ranging from 6.4 to 11.4 centimeters in overall length, with a thin, sharp head and a tail shorter than average salamanders in the plethodontidae family.[1] According to Dirk J. Stevenson, "the basic color pattern is brown or dull yellow with narrow, alternating light and dark longitudinal lines along the lower sides of the body that break up on the tail into a netlike pattern."

Habitat

This species of salamander is commonly found in the lower Atlantic Coastal Plain of Georgia.[2] However, there are claims of it reaching as far south as northeastern Florida, or as far north as southern Virginia.[3] The species is "unusually aquatic for a plethodontid," inhabiting "forested swamps fringing slow-moving blackwater streams, shallow ditches choked with aquatic vegetation, and mucky seepage areas." [4] Stereochilus marginatus is also likely to be found under natural cover, such as sphagnum moss or the decaying remains of leaves and other natural materials left behind in riverbeds; they can also sometimes be found underneath the remains of trees in drier environments.[5]

Breeding

Stereochilus marginatus are one of about 35 species of plethodontidae that lay aquatic eggs that hatch as swimming larvae.[6] The larvae period lasts around 1–2 years. It generally takes 3–4 years to mature for breeding, and males reach sexual maturity earlier than females.[7]

Diet

Both adults and larvae's diets tend to consist of "small invertebrates, including anthropods and worms." Unfortunately, not much is known about the expected life-span of Stereochilus marginatus or their interactions with other species. However, it is common to find Desmognathus auriculatus (southern dusky salamanders) and Pseudotriton montanus (mud salamanders) in the same environments. Predators of the Stereochilus marginatus may include larger aquatic fauna or insects.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Stevenson, Dirk J. "Lungless Salamanders—Plethodontidae." Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. Ed. John B. Jensen. Athens: U of Georgia, 2008. 239-240. Print.
  2. ↑ Stevenson, Dirk J. "Lungless Salamanders—Plethodontidae." Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. Ed. John B. Jensen. Athens: U of Georgia, 2008. 239-240. Print.
  3. ↑ Connell, Patia M. "Many-lined Salamander (Stereochilus Marginatus)." Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. Ed. J. D. Willson. University of Georgia, n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2015.
  4. ↑ Stevenson, Dirk J. "Lungless Salamanders—Plethodontidae." Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. Ed. John B. Jensen. Athens: U of Georgia, 2008. 239-240. Print.
  5. ↑ Connell, Patia M. "Many-lined Salamander (Stereochilus Marginatus)." Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. Ed. J. D. Willson. University of Georgia, n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2015.
  6. ↑ Zug, George R. "Lungless Salamander (family Plethodontidae)." Esbcohost.com. Encyclopædia Britannica, Sept. 2014. Web. 6 Dec. 2015.
  7. ↑ Stevenson, Dirk J. "Lungless Salamanders—Plethodontidae." Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. Ed. John B. Jensen. Athens: U of Georgia, 2008. 239-240. Print.
  8. ↑ Stevenson, Dirk J. "Lungless Salamanders—Plethodontidae." Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. Ed. John B. Jensen. Athens: U of Georgia, 2008. 239-240. Print.


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