Eurycea longicauda, commonly known as the long-tailed salamander or longtail salamander,[1] is a species of lungless salamander native to the Appalachian Region of the eastern United States. It is a "cave salamander" that frequents twilight zones of caves and also inhabits springs and surrounding forest.[1]
There are two[2] or three subspecies:
Eurycea guttolineata has earlier been treated as a subspecies of Eurycea longicauda (that is, as E. l. guttolineata), but is now considered a full species.
Body color varies from yellow to orange-red to red with random black spots.[1] E. l. longicauda measure on average 50mm snout–vent length (SVL) and have 72mm long tail.
E. l. melanopleura reproduces in November to February. The eggs measure 7mm in diameter. The larvae hatch in January–March at about 10mm snout–vent length (SVL). They metamorphose seven months later at 23mm28mm SVL. Males become sexually mature between 31mm43mm SVL and females 33mm43mm SVL. The largest males and females are 55mm SVL.
Eurycea longicauda inhabit streamsides, spring runs, ponds, cave mouths, and abandoned mines. With wet weather, they may venture into wooded terrestrial habitats. They hide in rock crevices or under rocks, logs, etc. Eggs are laid in underground crevices associated with aquatic environments, but in caves they may also be attached to objects in or above water.
The overall population size of this species is large (probably more than 100,000). Some local populations may have been impacted by strip mining and acid drainage from coal mining, but there are no major threats overall. Its range overlaps with several protected areas.