Necturus

Necturus
Waterdogs and Mudpuppies
Necturus maculosus maculosus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Caudata
Suborder: Salamandroidea
Family: Proteidae
Genus: Necturus
(Rafinesque, 1818)

Necturus is a genus of aquatic salamander only found in the eastern United States. They are commonly known as Waterdogs and Mudpuppies. The Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is likely the most well known species in this group.

Species

  • Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) (Rafinesque, 1818) [1]
    • Red River Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus louisianensis) Viosca, 1938
  • Alabama (Black Warrior) Waterdog (Necturus alabamensis) Viosca, 1937
  • Gulf Coast Waterdog (Necturus beyeri) Viosca, 1937
  • Neuse River Waterdog (Necturus lewisi) Brimley, 1924
  • Dwarf Waterdog (Necturus punctatus) (Gibbes, 1850)

Taxonomy

The genus Necturus is under scrutiny by herpetologists. The relationship between the species is still being studied, and more changes are sure to come. Most recently, the Red River Mudpuppy (N. louisianensis) was elevated to full species status, after being considered only a subspecies of the Common Mudpuppy (N. maculosus). However, not all herpetologists agree on this change.

References

  1. ^ As an amphibian with gill slits it is often dissected in comparative anatomy classes.
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