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Reptiles of the United States  
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Central Long-Toed Salamander Larva

Home »» Salamanders & Newts »» Salamandridae (Newts) »» »» Long-Toed Salamanders »» Central Long-Toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum columbianum)


Central Long-Toed Salamander (A. m. columbianum)STATUS





Description: This species, typically 1.6–3.5 inches long when mature, is characterized by its mottled black, brown, and yellow pigmentation, and its long outer fourth toe on the hind limbs. Yellow to tan dorsal stripe on black body, continuous blotches to spots along body ending in narrowed blotches with spot patterns distributed on the head. White flecks along the sides and underside remaining as separate small flecks. Number of vomerine teeth greater than 35.


Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats from coniferous forests to sagebrush plains to alpine meadows. Found on the ground under bark, rocks, and rotting wood piles. Also found in the quiet water of streams, ponds and lakes.


Range: Genetic evidence for the 'central' subspecies (A. m. columbianum) suggests that it does not extend north into British Columbia, but is restricted to the Blue and Wallowa Mountains of central to northeastern sections of Oregon. Populations are restricted to these areas by the Snake River Canyon (Idaho) to the east and low dry or xeric lands in the Madras basin to the west.


Found in these States: ID | OR | WA


Diet: Adult long-toed salamanders feed on insects, earthworms, slugs, and other small invertebrates.


Reproduction: Each season individuals migrate to breeding ponds with males arriving earlier and staying longer than females. At low elevations this migration may be in October or November, but at higher elevations it does not occur until snowmelt in late spring. Males deposit spermatophores (packets of sperm) which females pick up after courtship. Single eggs or loose egg clumps are attached to vegetation or detritus. Larvae hatch 2-5 weeks later and metamorphose in about 3 months.


Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of the large extent of occurrence, large number of subpopulations, presumed large population size, and use of a wide range of habitats.


Taxonomy:

»» Kingdom: Animalia - Animals
   »» Phylum: Chordata - Chordates
     »» Subphylum: Vertebrata - Vertebrates
       »» Class: Amphibia - (Amphibians)
         »» Order: Caudata - Salamanders
               »» Family: Salamandridae - Newts
                 »» Subfamily: Pleurodelinae - Pleurodeline Newts
                   »» Genus: Ambystoma
                     »» Species: Ambystoma macrodactylum - Long-Toed Salamander
                       »» Subspecies: A. m. columbianum - Central Long-Toed Salamander

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Long-Toed Salamander", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Content may have been omitted from the original, but no content has been changed or extended.

 

 

 

 

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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 

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