They can be laid directly onto the ground, but they are frequently suspended and attached to the surface of a rock or log. When breeding, this salamander deposits eggs in and around spring seepage areas, usually in moist or muddy areas. Like most salamanders, Desmognathus feed upon a variety of small invertebrates. Even when temperatures are down around freezing, this salamander can be turned up under cover along flowing springs. Northern Dusky Salamanders are common around permanent seeps and springs all months of the year and can be found in nearby creeks and further from water during rainy weather. On rainy spring nights, they can be observed actively foraging in woodlands near their springs and seeps. They can be found in both gravelly, rocky springs and mud seeps, although muddy seeps seem to be somewhat favored. Much of their habitat in Indiana consists of rocky gorges or rocky upland hills, but further west in the state, they can be found in more lowland seep habitat. While they can be found throughout small creeks, they are most heavily concentrated in seepages and springs at the edge of the water. This is a very aquatic salamander and is rarely found away from water. The muscular legs, robust body form, and large jaw muscles are also unique to this species in Indiana. This species can be distinguished from all other Plethodontids by the light line running from the eye to the back of the jaw that all Desmognathus species exhibit.
#Desmognathus fluctus series
Larvae have a series of 5-6 pairs of spots or diamonds on the dorsum.
They have a more rounded head than Eurycea larvae and frequently have greatly reduced and non-vascularized gills. Desmognathus larvae are small (~10mm SVL at hatching) and aquatic. The eggs are usually in two clusters of around 12 each. This species can grow to around 3-5 in total length.įemales lay their eggs under debris (logs, leaf litter, rocks, etc.) in small clusters near springs and seeps. Ventral coloration is light gray to cream-colored. Younger individuals tend to have more noticeable patterns while adults are darker and many become melanistic with age. Dorsal coloration is extremely variable and individuals can be light orange-brown to dark brown with faint to profuse and irregular mottling. There is a distinct light line running from the eye to the posterior end of the jaw in all species in this genus that can quickly distinguish it from other species. The cause of these declines is still unknown.Adults of this species are a robust brown to black plethodontid with enlarged jaw muscles and muscular rear legs. In many cases, populations seem to have declined or disappeared in undisturbed areas of pristine native habitat.
Miscellaneous: Although still widespread, this species appears to have experienced widespread declines across its range during the past thirty years. Southern dusky larvae have external gills and are fully aquatic while metamorphosed individuals are capable of moving between aquatic and terrestrial habitat. Hatchlings emerge from the eggs and move into the water, where they then go through an aquatic larval stage. Reproduction: Females typically lay eggs close to water and remain with them until hatching. Individuals are most frequently encountered in leaf litter or under decaying logs.ĭiet: Southern dusky salamanders have been found to eat a variety of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Habitat/Range: Southern dusky salamanders typically inhabit swamps and pools in both bottomland forests and flood plains throughout the North Carolina coastal plain. Both the upper surface and the belly of this species are typically dark brown to black, though the underside is scattered with distinct white spots. Description: Although there may be local variation in the coloration of this species, southern dusky salamanders are typically dark with a row of spots running down the side of the body and tail.
0 kommentar(er)
