Talladega seal salamander

The Talladega seal salamander (Desmognathus cheaha) is a mid-sized stream-dwelling plethodontid salamander native to the Southeastern United States. This species was split from the common seal salamander (Desmognathus monticola) in 2022.[1]

Talladega seal salamander
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Plethodontidae
Subfamily: Plethodontinae
Genus: Desmognathus
Species:
D. cheaha
Binomial name
Desmognathus cheaha
Pyron and Beamer, 2023

Distribution and habitat

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The Talladega seal salamander can be found in the U.S. States of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. This species occurs in the Ridge & Valley, Piedmont, and Coastal/Southeastern Plains physiographic provinces, in contrast with Desmognathus monticola, which predominantly occurs in the Appalachian highlands.[1] The only known population in Florida is believed to have undergone a dramatic population decline, and may be extirpated, after nearby logging activities impacted stream habitat.[2]

The Talladega seal salamander occurs in streams throughout its range. Populations in the Coastal Plain appear to be restricted to high-gradient streams and microhabitats in contact with rock and flowing water.[3][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Pyron, R Alexander; O'Connell, Kyle A; Duncan, Sophie C; Burbrink, Frank T; Beamer, David A (2023-05-19). Carstens, Bryan C (ed.). "Speciation Hypotheses from Phylogeographic Delimitation Yield an Integrative Taxonomy for Seal Salamanders ( Desmognathus monticola )". Systematic Biology. 72 (1): 179–197. doi:10.1093/sysbio/syac065. ISSN 1063-5157. PMID 36169600.
  2. ^ Holzheuser, Chace R.; Means, D. Bruce (2021). "Decline of the Seal Salamander, Desmognathus monticola, in Florida, USA" (PDF). Herpetological Conservation and Biology. 16 (3): 506–512.
  3. ^ Folkerts, G. W. (1969). "The Genus Desmognathus, Baird, (Amphibia: Plethodontidae) in Alabama". Ph.D. Dissertation. Auburn University.