salamanders of idaho ambystomatidae mole salamanders long-toed salamander long-toed salamander...

Salamanders of Idaho

Ambystomatidae Mole Salamanders Long-toed Salamander

Barred Tiger SalamanderIdaho Giant Salamander

Plethodontidae Lungless Salamanders Coeur d’Alene Salamander

Salamandridae Newts Roughskinned Newt

Salamander Characteristics

Salamander Characteristics

Slender, Max length 4 inches (102mm)

Bulky, max length 13 inches (330mm)

Salamander Characteristics

Leonard et al. 1993

Salamander Characteristics

Leonard et al. 1993

Salamander Characteristics

Salamander Characteristics

Adult Salamanders

Ambystomatidae

Plethodontidae

Salamandridae

Long-toed Salamander Ambystoma macrodactylum

• Max length= 6.25 inches (160mm)

• SVL length= 3.5 inches (85 mm)

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• Rounded head

• Smooth skin

• Costal grooves present

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C.R. Peterson

C.R. Peterson

Long-toed Salamander Eggs

• Eggs laid in …

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• Either laid singly or in clusters

• Take 2-4 weeks to hatch into larvae

C.R. Peterson

Long-toed Salamander Larva

• Larval period lasts from 50 days - 14 months

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• Balancers present

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• Neoteny has not been observed

C.R. Peterson

Barred Tiger Salamander CharacteristicsAmbystoma mavortium

• Max length 13 inches (327mm)• SVL length 6.5 inches (162 mm)• • • Broad, rounded head• Small, protruding eyes• No nasolabial groove

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C.R. Peterson

Barred Tiger Salamander Eggs

• •

• Eggs hatch in 2-4 weeks

C.R. PetersonC.R. Peterson

Barred Tiger Salamander Larvae

• Larval stage can last from 10 weeks - 2 years

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• Lacks balancers

• ____________ does occur in this species

C.R. PetersonC.R. Peterson

Idaho Giant Salamander AdultDicamptodon aterrimus

• ______, max length 13 inches (330mm)

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• Inconspicuous costal grooves

• No nasolabial groove

• Smooth skin

•

C.R. Peterson

Idaho Giant Salamander Eggs

Nussbaum, Brodie, and Storm. 1983.

• Eggs …

• Females will guard and protect eggs and larvae until they leave the nest chamber.

Dicamptodon ensatus

Idaho Giant Salamander Larvae

• Paedomorphic larvae may exceed 12” (300 mm) total length. • Larval period lasts from 18 - 24 months• • Lacks balancers• • • After 24 months, if no metamorphosis, larvae become paedomorphic

C.R. Peterson

Coeur d’Alene SalamanderPlethodon idahoensis

• Max length 4 inches (102mm)

• Yellowish dorsal stripe with uneven edges

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• Slender shape

• Smooth skin

• Slightly webbed toes

C.R. Peterson

C.R. Peterson

Coeur d’Alene Salamander Reproduction

• Eggs are laid in …

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Plethodon vandykei

W. P. LeonardC.R. Peterson

Rough-skinned NewtTaricha granulosa

• Max length 7.9 inches

(200mm)

• Dark brown dorsal coloration

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• No costal grooves

• No nasolabial groove

• Relatively small eyes

C.R. Peterson

C.R. Peterson

Rough-skinned Newt Larva

W.P. Leonard

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• External, feather-like gills

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• Eyes along outer margin of head

C.R. Peterson

Similar Species

Coeur d’Alene Salamander

Long-toed Salamander

C.R. Peterson

C.R. Peterson

C.R. Peterson

C.R. Peterson

W.P. Leonard

Tiger Salamander

W. P. Leonard

Idaho Giant Salamander

Similar Species

C.R. Peterson

Idaho Salamander

Eggs

Ambystomatidae

DicamptodontidaePlethodontidae

W. P. Leonard

Nussbaum, Brodie, and Storm. 1983.

C.R. Peterson

Idaho Salamander

Larvae

Ambystomatidae

Dicamptodontidae Salamandridae

W. P. Leonard

C.R. Peterson

C.R. Peterson

Salamander Distributions

Salamander Habitat

C.R. Peterson

Status and Conservation

• See species checklists• Idaho Department of Fish and Game – Conservation Data Center:

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/tech/CDC/

Conservation Status

Conservation Status

Taxa

GRank SRank ESA FSR1

FSR4 BLM IDFG Classification

Idaho Giant Salamander Dicamptodon aterrimus G3 S3       TYPE 3 Protected Nongame Species

Coeur d'Alene Salamander Plethodon idahoensis G4 S2   S   TYPE 3

Protected Nongame Species

APPENDIX B: COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF IDAHO SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED.

Assignment: Download this document and use it to fill out

the species natural history tables.

Conservation Status

Detection / Collection Techniquesfor Salamanders

C.R. Peterson

Detection / Collection Techniquesfor Salamanders

Detection / Collection Techniquesfor Salamanders

C.R. Peterson

C.R. Peterson

Detection / Collection Techniquesfor Salamanders

C.R. Peterson

Detection / Collection Techniquesfor Salamanders

Detection / Collection Techniquesfor Salamanders

C.R. Peterson

Detection / Collection Techniquesfor Salamanders

C.R. Peterson

References

• Koch, E.D. and C.R. Peterson. 1996. Amphibians and Reptiles of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. University of Utah Press.

• Leonard, W.P., H.A. Brown, L.C. Jones, K.R. McAllister, and R.M. Storm. 1993. Amphibians of Washington and Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Washington.

• Nussbaum, R.A. E.D. Brodie, and R.M. Storm. 1983. Amphibians and reptiles of the Pacific Northwest. University Press of Idaho, Moscow. 332 p.

• Stebbins, R.C. 2003. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles andAmphibians. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.

Further Information• Corkran, C.C. and C.R. Thoms. 1996. Amphibians of Oregon,

Washington, and British Columbia - A Field Identification Guide. Lone Pine Publishing, Vancouver, British Columbia.

• Digital Atlas of Idaho: http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/

• Groves, C. 1994. Idaho’s Amphibians and Reptiles. Nongame Leaflet # 7. Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

• Idaho Department of Fish and Game – Conservation Status: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/tech/CDC/heritage_ranks.cfm

• Lannoo, M. 2006. Amphibian Declines: The Conservation Status of United States Species. University of California Press.

• Petranka, JW. 1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada.

Review Question for Exam

• Be able to identify the Idaho species of salamanders without the use of any reference materials.

• Be able to describe the characteristics, distribution, habitat, activity patterns, diets, defensive adaptations, and reproductive habitats, and conservation status of the Idaho salamanders from memory.

15. Identify the family.

16. Identify the species.

17. What does this species eat?

18. What species of salamander might you find in this pond in southeastern Idaho?

19. How does this species defend itself ?