Caddo Mountain salamander

The Caddo Mountain salamander (Plethodon caddoensis) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae endemic to Arkansas in the south-central United States, and only known from the Caddo Mountains, a part of the Ouachita Mountains.[1][2][3]

Caddo Mountain salamander
This salamander was underneath a rock.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Plethodontidae
Subfamily: Plethodontinae
Genus: Plethodon
Species:
P. caddoensis
Binomial name
Plethodon caddoensis
Pope and Pope, 1951

The Caddo Mountain salamander has been found to be abundant in or near talus slopes and other rocky habitats, particularly on north-facing slopes covered by mature, mesic forests. It can also be found in secondary growth, mixed deciduous forests. During dry, hot conditions, these salamanders withdraw into underground retreats under shaded talus or in abandoned mines.[1]

The Caddo Mountain salamander is abundant within its limited range.[3] It can be locally threatened by habitat loss and degradation. However, most of the populations is within the Ouachita National Forest, which offers them some protection.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2022). "Plethodon caddoensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T17630A118974752. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T17630A118974752.en. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  2. ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Plethodon caddoensis Pope and Pope, 1951". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Plethodon caddoensis". AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.