Apalachicola waterdog explained

The Apalachicola waterdog (Necturus moleri) is a species of aquatic salamander in the family Proteidae. It is endemic to the south-eastern United States.^{[1] [2]}

Taxonomy

It was formerly thought to be a lineage of the Gulf Coast waterdog (N. beyeri), but a 2020 analysis found sufficient morphological and genetic divergence for it to be considered its own species, and it was thus described as its own species, N. moleri (alongside the Escambia waterdog, N. mounti). The specific epithet honors American herpetologist Paul E. Moler.^[3]

Distribution

It is found in southeastern Alabama, the Panhandle of Florida, and southwestern to north-central Georgia. It is found in the Apalachicola, Chipola, Choctawhatchee/Pea, Econfina, and Ochlockonee river basins.^{[4] [5]}

Description

In contrast to N. beyeri, it is small in size, weakly spotted, and has an unstriped larva that lacks the numerous white spots of N. beyeri. It shares these phenotypic traits with N. mounti, although it is genetically distinct.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Necturus moleri Guyer, Murray, Bart, Crother, Chabarria, Bailey, and Dunn, 2020 Amphibian Species of the World. 2021-12-16. amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org.
2. Web site: AmphibiaWeb - Necturus moleri. 2021-12-16. amphibiaweb.org.
3. Guyer. Craig. Murray. Christopher. Bart. Henry L.. Crother. Brian I.. Chabarria. Ryan E.. Bailey. Mark A.. Dunn. Khorizon. 2020-01-17. Colour and size reveal hidden diversity of Necturus (Caudata: Proteidae) from the Gulf Coastal Plain of the United States. Journal of Natural History. 54. 1–4. 15–41. 10.1080/00222933.2020.1736677. 2020JNatH..54...15G . 216256350. 0022-2933.
4. Web site: Necturus moleri Guyer, Murray, Bart, Crother, Chabarria, Bailey, and Dunn, 2020 Amphibian Species of the World. 2021-12-16. amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org.
5. Guyer. Craig. Murray. Christopher. Bart. Henry L.. Crother. Brian I.. Chabarria. Ryan E.. Bailey. Mark A.. Dunn. Khorizon. 2020-01-17. Colour and size reveal hidden diversity of Necturus (Caudata: Proteidae) from the Gulf Coastal Plain of the United States. Journal of Natural History. 54. 1–4. 15–41. 10.1080/00222933.2020.1736677. 2020JNatH..54...15G . 216256350. 0022-2933.
6. Guyer. Craig. Murray. Christopher. Bart. Henry L.. Crother. Brian I.. Chabarria. Ryan E.. Bailey. Mark A.. Dunn. Khorizon. 2020-01-17. Colour and size reveal hidden diversity of Necturus (Caudata: Proteidae) from the Gulf Coastal Plain of the United States. Journal of Natural History. 54. 1–4. 15–41. 10.1080/00222933.2020.1736677. 2020JNatH..54...15G . 216256350. 0022-2933.