Western slimy salamander
The western slimy salamander (Plethodon albagula), also known as the whitethroat slimy salamander or white-throated slimy salamander, is a species of salamander. It is endemic to the United States of America and found in two disjunct populations, one from Missouri to Oklahoma, and Arkansas, and another in south-central Texas.[1][2]
| Western slimy salamander | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Plethodontidae |
| Subfamily: | Plethodontinae |
| Genus: | Plethodon |
| Species: | P. albagula |
| Binomial name | |
| Plethodon albagula Grobman, 1944 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
The western slimy salamander is typically black in color with white speckling. On some specimens, the white speckling turns into large, white blotches along the sides of their bodies. They have large, bulbous eyes and long tails.
Behavior
Primarily nocturnal, it is commonly found under rocks, or other ground debris in moist, wooded areas. Eggs are laid in damp protected locations. The species has no aquatic larval stage. They are a shy species of salamander and are not normally found in areas where humans frequent. They live in areas of high humidity levels.
References
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2022). "Plethodon albagula". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T59329A118993270. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T59329A118993270.en. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- Frost, Darrel R. (2020). "Plethodon albagula Grobman, 1944". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 20 February 2020.