Dwarf Waterdog

Dwarf Waterdog
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Caudata
Family:	Proteidae
Genus:	Necturus
Species:	N. punctatus
Binomial name
Necturus punctatus (Gibbes, 1850)
Synonyms
Menobranchus punctatus Gibbes, 1850 Necturus punctatus -- Garman, 1884

The Dwarf Waterdog (Necturus punctatus) is the smallest member of the family Proteidae, and is endemic to the United States.

Description

This species is usually between 4½–7½" (11.4–18.9 cm), and has bushy, narrow gills and a compressed tail. All feet have four toes. The salamander is dark brown, slate-grey to black above, and has a grey belly with a bluish-white band along the midline. Unlike other members of the Proteidae family it is without any black spots.

Habitat

Dwarf Waterdogs live in slow-moving muddy or sandy-bottomed streams and associated deep irrigation ditches.

Geographic range

Necturus punctatus is found on the coastal plain from southeastern Virginia to southcentral Georgia^[1] (may extend westward along Gulf coastal plain).

References

1. ^ Conant, Roger. 1975. A field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, 2nd edition. Houghton Mifflin. Boston.

• National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians.