Southern grotto salamander explained

The southern grotto salamander (Eurycea braggi) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to northern Arkansas in the United States.^{[1] [2]}

Taxonomy

It is now considered a member of the genus Eurycea, but was originally described as Typhlotriton braggi.^[3]

It was described in 1968, but was later synonymized with the grotto salamander (E. spelaea), but a 2017 study found substantial genetic differences between the clades classified in E. spelaea and once again split them into distinct species. It is thought to have diverged from the northern grotto salamander (E. nerea) during the Late Miocene. All three grotto salamanders are thought to descend from an ancestral surface-dwelling form.^[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species is found in the Ozarks of northern Arkansas, where it is found in the East Springfield Plateau. It is found east of the White River basin. It inhabits freshwater springs (as a juvenile), inland karsts, and caves.^[5]

Description

This is a troglobitic species that has evolved several troglomorphisms such as a pale coloration and reduced eyesight, much like E. spelaea. Alongside E. spelaea and E. nerea, it is the only blind, troglobitic salamander that undergoes full metamorphosis.^{[6] [7]}

References

1. Web site: Eurycea braggi (Smith, 1968) Amphibian Species of the World. 2021-12-22. amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org.
2. Web site: AmphibiaWeb - Eurycea braggi. 2021-12-22. amphibiaweb.org.
3. Phillips. John G.. Fenolio. Danté B.. Emel. Sarah L.. Bonett. Ronald M.. 2017. Hydrologic and geologic history of the Ozark Plateau drive phylogenomic patterns in a cave-obligate salamander. Journal of Biogeography. en. 44. 11. 2463–2474. 10.1111/jbi.13047. 49239415 . 1365-2699.
4. Phillips. John G.. Fenolio. Danté B.. Emel. Sarah L.. Bonett. Ronald M.. 2017. Hydrologic and geologic history of the Ozark Plateau drive phylogenomic patterns in a cave-obligate salamander. Journal of Biogeography. en. 44. 11. 2463–2474. 10.1111/jbi.13047. 49239415 . 1365-2699.
5. Phillips. John G.. Fenolio. Danté B.. Emel. Sarah L.. Bonett. Ronald M.. 2017. Hydrologic and geologic history of the Ozark Plateau drive phylogenomic patterns in a cave-obligate salamander. Journal of Biogeography. en. 44. 11. 2463–2474. 10.1111/jbi.13047. 49239415 . 1365-2699.
6. Phillips. John G.. Fenolio. Danté B.. Emel. Sarah L.. Bonett. Ronald M.. 2017. Hydrologic and geologic history of the Ozark Plateau drive phylogenomic patterns in a cave-obligate salamander. Journal of Biogeography. en. 44. 11. 2463–2474. 10.1111/jbi.13047. 49239415 . 1365-2699.
7. Conant, Roger, and Joseph T. Collins (1998) Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians Eastern/Central North America. 3rd ed. Houghton Mifflin Company, p. 498