Klamath black salamander explained

The Klamath black salamander (Aneides klamathensis) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to the western United States.[1] [2] [3]

Taxonomy

Previously, it was considered a population of the speckled black salamander (A. flavipunctatus). However, a 2019 study found A. flavipunctatus to represent a species complex and split multiple species off it, including the Klamath population, which was described as Aneides klamathensis.[4] [5]

Distribution

This species inhabits the Klamath Mountains in northern California and southern Oregon. It ranges from southeast-central Humboldt and Trinity counties in California north to southern Josephine and Jackson counties in Oregon.

Description

This species has a solid black base coloration overlaid by greenish-gray frosting that extends down the trunk. Its limbs are heavily spotted with white to cream-colored spots, but this are largely scattered on other dorsal surfaces.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NatureServe Explorer 2.0. 2022-01-02. explorer.natureserve.org.
  2. Web site: Aneides klamathensis Reilly and Wake, 2019 Amphibian Species of the World. 2022-01-02. amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org.
  3. Web site: AmphibiaWeb - Aneides klamathensis. 2022-01-02. amphibiaweb.org.
  4. Reilly. Sean B.. Wake. David B.. 2019-08-01. Taxonomic revision of black salamanders of the Aneides flavipunctatus complex (Caudata: Plethodontidae). PeerJ. en. 7. e7370. 10.7717/peerj.7370. 2167-8359. 6679913. 31396443 . free .
  5. Web site: Speckled Black Salamander - Aneides flavipunctatus flavipunctatus. 2022-01-02. www.californiaherps.com.
  6. Web site: Klamath black salamander Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. 2022-01-02. myodfw.com.