- Plethodon serratus
Taxobox
name = Southern Redback Salamander
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis =Lissamphibia
ordo =Caudata
familia = Plethodontidae
genus = "Plethodon "
species = "P. serratus"
binomial = "Plethodon serratus"
binomial_authority = Grobman, 1944
synonyms = "Plethodon cinereus serratus"
Grobman, 1944The Southern Redback Salamander ("Plethodon serratus") is a
species ofsalamander native to theUnited States . It is found in four widely disjunct populations. One in centralLouisiana ; one in theOuachita Mountains ofArkansas andOklahoma ; one in centralMissouri ; and one from southeasternTennessee , to southwesternNorth Carolina , western Georgia, and easternAlabama . It is sometimes referred to as the Georgia Red-backed Salamander or the Ouachita Red-backed Salamander. It was once considered asubspecies of Redback Salamander, "Plethodon cinereus ".Description
The Southern Redback Salamander is typically gray or black in color, with a red-brown fading stripe across the width of its back. It grows from 3 to 4 inches in length.
Behavior
Mostly nocturnal, it is often found under ground debris in moist forested areas. In dry seasons it moves closer to permanent water sources. Its primary diet is small
arthropod s andmollusk s.References
* [http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/references.php?id=22731 Amphibians Species of the World: "Plethodon serratus"]
* [http://pick5.pick.uga.edu/mp/20q?search=Plethodon+serratus Discover Life: "Plethodon serratus"]
* [http://www.herpsofnc.org/herps_of_NC/salamanders/pleser.html Herps of North Carolina: Southern Redback Salamander]
* [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/59354/summ IUCN Red List: "Plethodon serratus"]
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