The many-lined salamander (Stereochilus marginatus) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae.[2] It is the only species of the monotypic genus Stereochilus.[3] It is endemic to the United States.[2]
| Many-lined salamander | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Plethodontidae |
| Subfamily: | Hemidactyliinae |
| Genus: | Stereochilus Cope, 1869 |
| Species: | S. marginatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Stereochilus marginatus (Hallowell, 1856)
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Physical description
editStereochilus marginatus are small salamanders, generally ranging from 6.4 to 11.4 cm (2.5 to 4.5 in) in overall length, with a thin, sharp head and a tail shorter than average salamanders in the plethodontids.[4] According to Dirk J. Stevenson, "the basic color pattern is brown or dull yellow with narrow, alternating light and dark longitudinal lines along the lower sides of the body that break up on the tail into a netlike pattern."
Habitat and distribution
editThis species of salamander is commonly found in the lower Atlantic Coastal Plain of Georgia.[4] It occurs on the Atlantic coastal plain from northeastern Florida to southeastern Virginia.[2] The species is "unusually aquatic for a plethodontid," inhabiting "forested swamps fringing slow-moving blackwater streams, shallow ditches choked with aquatic vegetation, and mucky seepage areas."[4] Stereochilus marginatus is also likely to be found under natural cover, such as Sphagnum moss or the decaying remains of leaves and other natural materials left behind in riverbeds; they can also sometimes be found underneath the remains of trees in drier environments.[5]
Life history
editStereochilus marginatus are one of about 35 species of Plethodontidae that lay aquatic eggs that hatch as swimming larvae.[6] The larvae period lasts around 1–2 years. It generally takes 3–4 years to mature for breeding, and males reach sexual maturity earlier than females. Unfortunately, not much is known about their expected life-span.[4]
Diet and interspecific interactions
editBoth adults and larvae's diets tend to consist of small invertebrates, including arthropods and worms.[4]
It is common to find Desmognathus auriculatus (southern dusky salamanders) and Pseudotriton montanus (mud salamanders) in the same environments. Predators of the Stereochilus marginatus may include larger aquatic fauna or insects.[4]
References
edit- ^ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2014). "Stereochilus marginatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T59406A56252342. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T59406A56252342.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Stereochilus marginatus (Hallowell, 1856)". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ^ Frost, Darrel R. (2016). "Stereochilus Cope, 1869". Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Stevenson, Dirk J. "Lungless Salamanders—Plethodontidae." Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. Ed. John B. Jensen. Athens: U of Georgia, 2008. p. 239–240.
- ^ Connell, Patia M. "Many-lined Salamander (Stereochilus Marginatus)." Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. Ed. J. D. Willson. University of Georgia, n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2015.
- ^ Zug, George R. "Lungless Salamander (family Plethodontidae)." Esbcohost.com. Encyclopædia Britannica, Sept. 2014. Web. 6 Dec. 2015.