Carolina mountain duskies in some areas may reach densities of over 2,500 salamanders per acre. Miscellaneous: These three species are among the most abundant salamanders in many areas within their range. Hatchling salamanders emerge from their eggs with external gills and spend up to 10 months as fully-aquatic larvae before transforming into adults. The female remains with her eggs until they hatch. Reproduction: Females of all three species deposit their eggs under moss, rocks, or logs or under logs in or near flowing water. Salamanders of these three species are active almost exclusively at night and may be found climbing on vegetation while foraging, often far from water. Some individuals may be encountered far from water, with salamanders at higher elevations tending to be more terrestrial than individuals at lower elevations.ĭiet: All three species of mountain dusky salamanders are generalist predators which feed on stream and forest floor invertebrates. The upper body varies from brown or reddish brown to gray or olive, with slightly darker markings on the top and sides. They have a keeled (knife-like) tail that is less than half the body length. Individuals of all three species may be found along streams, in seepage areas, and on wet rock faces. Desmognathus fuscus is a small but robust salamander with 14 costal grooves, and hind limbs that are larger than the front limbs. ![]() Blue Ridge dusky salamanders are found furthest north and hybridize with Carolina mountain dusky salamanders at some locations where the two species come into contact. Carolina mountain dusky are found in the central portion of the North Carolina Blue Ridge. Ocoee salamanders are found in southwestern North Carolina and are separated from the Carolina mountain dusky salamander by the Pigeon River. Habitat/Range: These three species are very common in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Some individuals may exhibit red legs or cheek patches similar to those of several distasteful species ( Plethodon jordani and Plethodon shermani). Other individuals may have spotting or flecking on the back instead of a dorsal stripe and others, especially males, may be dark with little or no patterning. This stripe can be irregular or straight. ![]() Some individuals may have a stripe down the back that can vary in color from yellow to orange, red, or brown. Individuals of all three species have a round tail and a light line from the eye to the angle of the jaw. All three of these species exhibit highly variable coloration and are best separated from one another by location. monticola in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, USA. Although seepage salamanders may hatch with tiny gills, these disappear within a few days.Species in Complex: Carolina mountain dusky salamander ( Desmognathus carolinensis), Ocoee salamander ( Desmognathus ocoee), Blue Ridge dusky salamander ( Desmognathus orestes)ĭescription: These three species were all formerly considered to be a single species, Desmognathus ochrophaeus. The traits in question were evaluated in populations of the larger D. Seepage salamanders lack an aquatic larval stage. The female will remain with the eggs until hatching. Reproduction: Seepage salamanders typically lay 11-14 eggs in moss or under cover objects near streams and seepages. Where present, this species is often locally abundant. ![]() The seepage salamander has a patchy distribution in deciduous forests of southwestern North Carolina. Seepage salamanders may also be present in moist areas under rocks, logs, and leaf litter in the vicinity of small streams. ![]() Habitat/Range: This species is named after the wet seepage areas in which it is commonly found. As in most Desmognathus, a light line is present from the eye to the back of the jaw. This species often has a light circular mark on the top of each thigh and a Y-shaped mark on the top of the head. Description: The seepage salamander is an especially small, slender salamander with a yellow to reddish-brown dorsal stripe.
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