Salamanders in Your Pocket: A Guide to Caudates of the Upper Midwest (Bur Oak Guide) [1 ed.] 1609382021, 9781609382025

Citation preview

a bu r o ak guide

Salamanders in your pocket

A Guide to Caudates of the Upper Midwest

 

By Terry VanDeWalle Photographs by Suzanne L. Collins

Common mudpuppy Necturus maculosus

Range: Mudpuppy (N. m. maculosus): IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, OH, SD, WI; Louisiana waterdog (N. m. louisianensis): KS, MO Size: 8–13 inches Description: Large, permanently gilled salamander with 4 toes on each hind limb and dark red, bushy gills. Mudpuppy has rusty brown to gray back with obvious bluish black spots. Belly unspotted to heavily spotted. Louisiana waterdog is light yellowish brown to tan. Many have dark stripe down back bordered on each side by faint light stripe. Back and sides have large spots and blotches. Center of belly light in color. Habitat: Lakes, ponds, rivers, large creeks Similar species: Hellbenders have flat heads, folds along sides, adults lack external gills. Larval Ambystoma species have 5 toes on each hind foot.

Hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis

Range: Hellbender (C. a. alleganiensis): IL, IN, MO, OH; Ozark hellbender (C. a. bishopi): MO Size: 11 ½–29 inches Description: Large, aquatic greenish, yellowish brown, or slate gray salamander with strongly flattened body; small eyes; wrinkled, fleshy folds of skin along both sides; gill slits, no external gills. Hellbender has small black spots on back and evenly colored chin. Ozark hellbender has large blotches on back and black or dusky marks on large part of chin. Habitat: Large, rocky, fast-flowing streams Similar species: Mudpuppies, waterdogs, and larval Ambystoma species have external gills.

Tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum

Range: Eastern (A. t. tigrinum): IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, SD, WI; Gray (A. t. diaboli): MN, ND, SD; Barred (A. t. mavortium): KS, NE; Blotched (A. t. melanostictum): NE, ND, SD Size: 6–8 ½ inches, maximum 13 ½ inches Description: Large, heavy-bodied salamander with conspicuously big head and small eyes. Nasolabial groove absent, costal grooves present. Eastern subspecies is dark brown to grayish black with large, irregular brown to brownish yellow spots or vertical streaks. Belly dark with pale yellow blotches. Gray subspecies has light gray or yellowish brown back and belly with small, rounded black spots. Barred subspecies is black with broad, bold yellow vertical bars extending from lower sides and belly to midback. Blotched subspecies’ back is heavily mottled with dirty yellow and blackish blotches. Belly lightly to heavily mottled. Habitat: Woodlands, meadows, grasslands, and associated wetlands Similar species: Spotted salamander is smaller with 2 irregular rows of rounded yellow or yellowish orange spots, gray to purplish brown belly. Marbled salamander has solid black or brownish black belly.

Spotted salamander Ambystoma maculatum

Range: IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI Size: 6–9 ¾ inches Description: Large steel gray or black salamander with 2 rows of circular, nearly equal-size yellow or yellowish orange spots extending from head to tip of tail. Spots on head may be bright orange and contrast with yellow spots on body and tail. Belly unspotted, gray to purplish brown. Nasolabial groove absent, 11–13 costal grooves. Habitat: Moist woodlands near vernal pools Similar species: Tiger salamander has numerous irregularly shaped yellowish or brownish spots or vertical streaks.

Marbled salamander Ambystoma opacum

Range: IL, IN, MI, MO, OH Size: 3–5 inches Description: Small to medium-size black salamander with prominent white or light gray crossbands across head, back, and tail. Crossbands may run together or be interrupted, heavier along sides. Males have white bands, females have grayish bands. Belly black or brownish black, lacks crossbands. Nasolabial groove absent, costal grooves present. Habitat: Floodplain forests with numerous oxbows and wetlands Similar species: Unlikely to be confused with any other salamander. Small-mouthed salamander is slimmer with light spots or flecks.

Mole salamander Ambystoma talpoideum

Range: IL, IN, MO Size: 3–4 ¾ inches Description: Short, stocky gray, brownish gray, or black salamander with short tail, large limbs, and prominent rounded head. Light gray specks on back and sides. Usually conspicuous light and dark stripes on belly. Adults may be either gilled or terrestrial. Nasolabial groove absent, 10–11 costal grooves. Habitat: Upland hardwood forests or mixed pine-hardwood forests surrounding wetlands Similar species: Small-mouthed salamander is longer, slimmer, with smaller head and 14–16 costal grooves.

Western lesser siren Siren intermedia nettingi

Range: IL, IN, MI, MO Size: 7–27 inches Description: Large, eel-shaped brownish black or dark olive, permanently gilled salamander with 4 toes on each front foot, no hind limbs. Small black and light-colored spots on back and sides, belly lighter than back with numerous light spots. Jaws covered with horny sheath. Fin along back of tail from vent to tip. Habitat: Swamps, ditches, ponds, sloughs Similar species: None. Mudpuppies, waterdogs, and hellbenders have 4 legs.

Eastern newt Notophthalmus viridescens

Range: Red-spotted (N. v. viridescens): IN, MI, OH; Central (N. v. louisianensis): IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, WI Size: Red efts 1 ½– 3 ½ inches, adults 2 ½–4 ½ inches Description: Small salamander with a terrestrial juvenile stage called the red eft and an aquatic adult stage. Red efts bright to dull red or greenish brown with dry, rough skin, no tail fin. Adults olive green to yellowish brown with scattered small dots on back and sides, black-dotted yellow belly contrasting sharply with sides, and tail fin. Costal grooves absent. Red-spotted newt has 2 rows of black-bordered red spots down back. Central newt lacks red spots on back. Habitat: Fishless ponds, swamps, streams, ditches near forests Similar species: Newly transformed Ambystoma species have slimy skin and obvious costal grooves.

Small-mouthed salamander Ambystoma texanum Range: IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MO, NE, OH Size: 4 ¼–7 ½ inches

Description: Medium-size salamander with conspicuously small head and mouth, blunt snout. Back black, gray, or grayish brown with light gray specks and flecks heaviest along sides. Belly brown or black, not strongly speckled. Nasolabial groove absent, 14–16 costal grooves. Habitat: Bottomland forests and associated wetlands and vernal pools Similar species: Blue-spotted salamander has longer snout and bluish spotting on back and sides.

Blue-spotted salamander Ambystoma laterale Range: IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, OH, WI Size: 3–5 inches

Description: Small to medium-size, slender gray to grayish black salamander with short legs. Numerous pale blue or turquoise spots and flecks on sides, legs, and tail, often extending onto back. Belly dark gray or brownish gray, scattered light spots on belly and throat, vent surrounded by black. Nasolabial groove absent, 13 costal grooves. Habitat: Moist deciduous hardwood forests and associated wetlands Similar species: Spotted salamander has large yellow or yellowish orange spots on back, unspotted belly. Small-mouthed salamander has smaller head, shorter snout, grayish white blotches.

Jefferson salamander Ambystoma jeffersonianum

Range: IL, IN, OH Size: 2 ½–3 ¾ inches Description: Small, slender dark gray to brownish gray salamander with wide head, long limbs and long toes, light bluish gray or silver flecks on legs and lower sides of body and tail, tail nearly as long as body. Belly paler than sides and back, vent surrounded by gray. Nasolabial groove absent, 12–13 costal grooves. Habitat: Upland deciduous forests with nearby breeding ponds Similar species: Blue-spotted and small-mouthed salamanders have distinctly narrow heads; shorter, narrower snouts; and shorter legs and toes.

Streamside salamander Ambystoma barbouri

Range: IN, OH Size: 4 ¼–6 ¾ inches Description: Medium-size grayish brown to grayish black salamander heavily patterned with tan or light gray netlike marks; wide, rounded snout. Belly gray to grayish black with light gray blotches. Nasolabial groove absent, 14–15 costal grooves. Habitat: Upland deciduous forests with nearby breeding ponds Similar species: Nearly identical in appearance to smallmouthed salamander, but the ranges of the two species have little overlap. Jefferson and blue-spotted salamanders have longer toes, head, and snout.

Four-toed salamander Hemidactylium scutatum Range: IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI Size: 2–4 inches

Description: Small, slender salamander with reddish brown back, grayish sides, and black-spotted ivory white belly. Easily identified by presence of only 4 toes on each hind foot and constriction around base of tail. Nasolabial groove present, 13–14 costal grooves extend to midback. Habitat: Forests surrounding fishless swamps, bogs, marshes, vernal pools Similar species: Red-backed, dusky, and zigzag salamanders have 5 toes on each hind foot, tail not constricted at base.

Dusky salamander Desmognathus fuscus

Range: Northern (D. f. fuscus): IN, OH; Spotted (D. f. conanti): IL Size: 2 1⁄3–5 ½ inches Description: Small to medium-size uniformly yellowish brown to boldly marked salamander with keeled tail (thin, raised edge on top); light line extending from eye to angle of jaw; broad, light stripe down back extending onto tail. Nasolabial groove present, 14 costal grooves. Northern subspecies has strongly keeled tail, uniformly light stripe on back extending onto tail, remnants of spotted juvenile pattern. Spotted subspecies has moderately keeled tail, bold red to golden spots or blotches on back. Habitat: Aquatic or semiaquatic forests Similar species: Red-backed salamander has no light line from eye to angle of jaw. Small-mouthed salamander lacks nasolabial groove.

Red-backed salamander Plethodon cinereus Range: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI Size: 2 ½–5 inches

Description: Small to medium-size, slender dark salamander with broad, straight-edged orangish red or red stripe on back from head onto tail. Belly strongly mottled with black and white. Unstriped or lead-backed phase lacks stripe on back. Legs small and short, tail usually longer than snout-vent length. Nasolabial groove present, 18–20 costal grooves. Habitat: Under logs, bark, and stones in forests Similar species: Four-toed salamander has 4 toes on hind feet, constriction at base of tail. Dusky salamander has light line from eye to angle of jaw. Zigzag salamander tail is usually shorter than snout-vent length, orange or red pigment on upper front legs.

Zigzag salamander Plethodon dorsalis

Range: Eastern (P. d. dorsalis): IL, IN, MO; Ozark (P. d. angusticlavius): MO Size: 2 ½–4 1⁄3 inches Description: Small dark salamander with yellowish brown to orangish red stripe on back zigzagging from head to tip of tail, orange or red marks around base of front legs. Tail usually shorter than snout-vent length. Nasolabial groove present, 17–18 costal grooves. Eastern subspecies has broad, wavy stripe on back. Ozark subspecies has narrower, more straight-edged stripe on back. Habitat: Moist, rocky forests Similar species: Four-toed salamander has 4 toes on hind feet, constriction at base of tail. Dusky salamander has light line from eye to angle of jaw. Red-backed salamander tail is longer than snout-vent length, no orange or red pigment on upper front legs.

Slimy salamander Plethodon glutinosus

Range: IL, IN, MO, OH Size: 4 ½–8 inches Description: Medium-size to large black or dark bluish black salamander with small, scattered silvery white or metallic gold spots on back and sides. Larger white, gray, or yellow spots along sides may fuse into bands on tail. Belly grayish black. Produces large amount of sticky secretion from tail when handled. Nasolabial groove present, 16 costal grooves. Habitat: Deciduous forests Similar species: Blue-spotted, Jefferson, and smallmouthed salamanders all lack nasolabial groove.

Ravine salamander Plethodon richmondi

Range: IN, OH Size: 3–5 ¾ inches Description: Small to mediumsize, elongated, slender dark brown to black salamander with many silvery white to brassy specks on back and sides. Belly dark, unmarked except for moderate flecking on chin and throat. Small, irregular white blotches on lower sides. Legs short, tail about 50% of total length. Nasolabial groove present, 20–23 costal grooves. Habitat: Wooded, rocky slopes and ravines Similar species: Red-backed salamander has strongly mottled black-and-white belly. Zigzag salamander usually has orange or red marks around base of front legs.

Green salamander Aneides aeneus

Range: IN, OH Size: 3–5 ½ inches Description: Small to medium-size black salamander with distinctive yellowish green lichenlike mottling on back and sides. Belly light, unmarked. Base of each leg often washed in faint yellow. Body flattened, legs long, toe tips squared. Nasolabial groove present, 14–15 costal grooves. Habitat: Deep, moist cracks and crevices in limestone cliffs Similar species: Distinctive greenish color, flattened body, and squared toe tips make it unlikely to be confused with any other salamander. 1

5

10

15

costal grooves nasolabial groove

THIS KEY is organized into a series of numbered paired choices of characteristics a and b. Beginning with number 1, for each pair, choose the description that best fits the salamander you wish to identify. Move to the next numbered pair indicated at the end of the description. Continue until you reach a description that ends in the name of the animal. 1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a

Rear limbs absent, external gills present, 4 toes on each front foot: western lesser siren Rear limbs present, external gills present or absent: 2 External gills present, 4 toes on each hind limb: common mudpuppy External gills absent, lungs present: 3 Gill slits present, no external gills; wrinkled, fleshy folds of skin along both sides of body: hellbender Gill slits absent: 4 Nasolabial groove present: 5 Nasolabial groove absent: 17 Hind foot with 4 toes, base of tail constricted, belly white with many black spots: four-toed salamander Hind foot with 5 toes, base of tail not constricted: 6 Light line from eye to angle of jaw: dusky salamander

6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b 14a 14b 15a 15b 16a 16b 17a 17b 18a 18b 19a 19b 20a 20b 21a 21b 22a 22b 23a 23b 24a 24b

No light line from eye to angle of jaw: 7 Black with distinctive yellowish green lichenlike mottling, body flattened, toe tips squared: green salamander Body not black with distinctive yellowish green lichenlike mottling, toe tips not squared: 8 White, light pinkish, or light brown unspotted body; eyes small black dots, partially fused eyelids; found in caves: grotto salamander Characteristics not as above: 9 Back and belly dark gray, brown, or black: 10 Back yellow, tan, orange, or red; belly white, orange, or yellow: 13 Typically 16 costal grooves; small, scattered silvery white or metallic gold spots on back and sides: slimy salamander More than 16 costal grooves: 11 18–20 costal grooves: 12 20–23 costal grooves, many silvery white to brassy specks on back and sides, tail about 50% of total length: ravine salamander Yellowish brown to orangish red stripe on back zigzagging from head to tip of tail, orange or red marks around base of front legs, tail usually shorter than snout-vent length: zigzag salamander Broad, straight-edged orangish red or red stripe on back from head onto tail, tail usually longer than snout-vent length: red-backed salamander Body red, salmon, or orange with dark spots or faint marks: 14 Body brown, yellowish, or pinkish white without black marks: 16 Body slender, 14–15 costal grooves: cave salamander Body stout, 16–17 costal grooves: 15 Eyes yellow, numerous black spots on back, coloration on sides and belly intergrades: northern red salamander Eyes brown, widely scattered black or brown spots on back, coloration on sides and belly sharply contrasts: midland mud salamander 2 dark brown or black stripes on back extending from eyes onto tail with many small black spots between: two-lined salamander Tail more than 50% of total length, tail with herringbone pattern on sides: long-tailed salamander Costal grooves absent: eastern newt Costal grooves present: 18 Back dark with prominent white or light gray crossbands across head, back, and tail: marbled salamander Back dark without prominent white or light gray crossbands across head, back, and tail: 19 Back with yellow or orange spots: 20 Back without yellow or orange spots: 21 Back with 2 rows of circular, nearly equal-size yellow or yellowish orange spots extending from head to tip of tail; belly unspotted, gray: spotted salamander Back with large, irregular brown to brownish yellow spots, vertical streaks, or bars not in rows; belly usually marked with yellow spots: tiger salamander 10–11 costal grooves, body short and stocky: mole salamander 12 or more costal grooves, body not short and stocky: 22 Head small relative to body size, 14–16 costal grooves: 23 Head normal relative to body size, 12–13 costal grooves: 24 Back grayish brown to grayish black, heavily patterned with tan or light gray netlike marks; wide, rounded snout; belly gray to grayish black with light gray blotches: streamside salamander Back black, gray, or grayish brown with light gray specks and flecks heaviest along sides; blunt snout; belly brown or black, not strongly speckled: small-mouthed salamander Back gray to grayish black with numerous pale blue or turquoise spots and flecks on sides, legs, and tail; vent surrounded by black: blue-spotted salamander Back dark gray to brownish gray, legs and sides lightly mottled with bluish flecks, vent surrounded by gray: Jefferson salamander

Long-tailed salamander Eurycea longicauda

Range: Long-tailed (E. l. longicauda): IL, KS, MO; Dark-sided (E. l. melanopleura): IL, IN, MO, OH Size: 4–8 inches Description: Mediumsize to large yellowish orange to yellowish brown salamander with many scattered dark spots along back and sides, conspicuously long tail. Nasolabial groove present, 13–14 costal grooves. Long-tailed subspecies is orange to yellowish brown with black or brown spots sometimes forming horizontal bands on sides. Elongated spots on sides of tail may form herringbone pattern. Belly cream to yellow. Dark-sided subspecies is yellow to yellowish brown with many black marks on back. Broad dark stripe marked with many light flecks along sides. Belly pale yellow with faint light brown to gray spots. Habitat: Cool streams and seeps in rocky upland forests Similar species: Cave salamander lacks herringbone pattern on tail; has broader, flatter head. Southern two-lined salamander is smaller, has 13–14 costal grooves.

Cave salamander Eurycea lucifuga

Range: IL, IN, KS, MO, OH Size: 4–8 inches Description: Medium-size to large, slender bright orange or reddish orange salamander heavily marked with scattered black spots; wide, flat head; large eyes; long legs; and long prehensile tail. Belly unspotted, white to yellowish. Nasolabial groove present, 14–15 costal grooves. Habitat: Twilight zone of limestone caves and limestone crevices. May also be deep in caves or in forests close to caves. Similar species: Long-tailed salamander has herringbone pattern on tail and narrower, less flat head.

Two-lined salamander Eurycea bislineata

Range: Northern (E. b. bislineata): OH; Southern (E. b. cirrigera): IL, IN, OH Size: 2 ½–4 ¾ inches Description: Small to medium-size, slender yellowish green or yellowish brown salamander with 2 dark brown or black stripes on back extending from eyes onto tail with many small black spots between. Belly yellow, unspotted. Nasolabial groove present. Northern subspecies has stripes on back extending ½ to ¾ down length of tail, 14–16 costal grooves. Southern subspecies has stripes on back extending to near tip of tail, row of light spots on sides, 13–14 costal grooves. Habitat: Near rocky streams and seeps in moist forests Similar species: Cave salamander is larger, has longer tail. Long-tailed salamander has herringbone pattern on tail. Dusky salamander has light line from eye to angle of jaw.

Grotto salamander Typhlotriton spelaeus

Range: KS, MO Size: 3–5 1⁄3 inches Description: Small to medium-size white, light pinkish, or light brown unspotted salamander with wide, flat head; small eyes; and long, rounded, finless tail. May have faint traces of orange on tail, feet, and lower sides. Adults blind with eyes that appear as small black dots and partially fused eyelids. Nasolabial groove present, 16–19 costal grooves. Habitat: Stream-fed caves or springs Similar species: Long-tailed and two-lined salamanders have pattern of spots or lines on back.

Northern red salamander Pseudotriton ruber ruber

Range: IN, OH Size: 3 ¾–7 inches Description: Small to large, stout reddish salamander with short tail and short legs. Back and sides vary from purplish brown to bright crimson, marked with numerous black spots. Belly pinkish to red with scattered black spots. Coloration on sides and belly intergrades. Tail about 1⁄3 of total length, pupils of eyes yellow. Nasolabial groove present, 16–17 costal grooves. Habitat: Small streams, seepages, and spring-fed bogs Similar species: Midland mud salamanders have brown pupils and noticeably fewer spots.

Midland mud salamander Pseudotriton montanus

diasticus

Range: OH Size: 3–7 ½ inches Description: Small to large, stout, short-tailed bright crimson salamander with widely scattered black or brown spots on back and sides. Belly light orange to pinkish orange with or without spots. Coloration on sides and belly sharply contrasts. Tail less than 50% of total length, pupils of eyes brown. Nasolabial groove present, 16–17 costal grooves. Habitat: Muddy or mucky areas along streams, swamps, bogs, seeps Similar species: Northern red salamanders have yellow pupils and noticeably more spots.

Salamanders in Your Pocket

Finding a salamander in the woodlands rates as one of the most enjoyable surprises of an early morning hike. Active mainly at night, these secretive, shiny, lizardlike amphibians often glow like jewels when found under the logs or rocks that many prefer. This colorful addition to Iowa’s popular series of laminated guides—the twenty-fifth in the series—will inform both amateur and professional naturalists about twenty-five species of salamanders to be found in the Upper Midwest states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, South Dakota, North Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri.  

bu

k r o a gu

id

e

a

Terry VanDeWalle provides a complete description of each species as well as distinguishing characteristics for twenty-five subspecies, from the striking orange and yellow spots of the spotted salamander to the lichenlike patches of the green salamander to the prominent rounded head of the mole salamander. He also includes information about the salamanders’ range and habitat preferences, from twilight zones of limestone caves and crevices to seepages and spring-fed bogs. His comparisons of similar species and his comprehensive key are most helpful for identifying individuals in the field.   Superb photographs by Suzanne Collins make this new guide the perfect companion for outdoor expeditions in all kinds of moist environments. $10.95

Copyright © 2013 by the University of Iowa Press Printed in the U.S.A. www.uiowapress.org Manufactured by ProGuidez, Inc. Licensed under U.S. Patent N429 and 6,063,227; Mexican Model Reg. No. 10,020; Canadian Industrial Design Reg. No. 76,725