Korean crevice salamander

Taxobox
name = Korean crevice salamander
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = unknown
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Caudata
familia = Plethodontidae
genus = "Karsenia"
species = "K. koreana"
binomial = "Karsenia koreana"
binomial_authority = Min et al., 2005The Korean crevice salamander ("Karsenia koreana") is a lungless salamander. It dwells under rocks in limestone forest areas of the Korean peninsula. It was discovered by Stephen J. Karsen, an American science teacher working in Daejeon, South Korea, in 2005.

Although plethodontid salamanders comprise seventy percent of salamander species worldwide, "Karsenia koreana" is the first member of this taxon known from Asia. Like other plethodontids, it lacks lungs and breathes through its moist skin.

Cladistic analysis using Bayesian analysis of molecular data places "Karsenia koreana" as sister group to the clade containing "Aneides" and the desmognathine salamanders. This implies that plethodontid salamanders may have had a worldwide range 60 to 100 million years ago. As the global climate cooled, New World taxa thrived while Old World populations declined. Other plants and animals currently found in Asia and North America share close relationships, showing a similar pattern of biogeography.

References

* Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern
*Min, M.S., S. Y. Yang, R. M. Bonett, D. R. Vieites, R. A. Brandon & D. B. Wake. (2005). Discovery of the first Asian plethodontid salamander. "Nature" (435), 87–90 (5 May 2005).
*Perlman, David, "American type of salamander in Korea", "San Francisco Chronicle". May 5 2005