Plethodon vandykei

Taxobox
name = Van Dyke's Salamander
status = lc
status_system = iucn2.3
status_ref = IUCN2006 | assessors = Insectivore Specialist Group | year = 1996 | title = Condylura cristata | id = 41458 | downloaded = 2006-05-12]


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Caudata
family = Plethodontidae
genus = "Plethodon"
binomial = "Plethodon vandykei "
binomial_authority = Van Denburgh, 1906

Plethodon vandykei or the Van Dyke Salamander is a Salamander in the order Caudata and the family Plethodontidae. More recently the species has been used in research, in order to find out about the Geomorphic conditions in Washington State.

Description

Van Dyke's salamander grows up to 10cm long, and has large (Parotid) glands on either side of its head. Several different colour patterns or "phases" have been observed; yellow/orange, rose/salmon pink and yellow striped with black sides. These differences in colouration are believed to be due to variations in the climate. The adult males have yellow throat markings which are used in courtship. The species is most active at night when conditions are moist and above freezing.

Distribution

The species is endemic to the state of Washington in the U.S.A. It is predominantly located in hilly or mountainous regions such as the Olympic Hills, the Willapa Hills and the Cascade Mountains. Like all Amphibians the salamander lives close to streams, existing under rocks or fallen and decaying wood. It is in this wood that they lay their eggs.

References

*http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/references.php?id=26888
*http://www.northwestherps.com/vandykei.html
*http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/collections/herpetology/pvandyke.htm

External links

* [http://www.amphibiainfo.com/gallery/caudata/plethodontidae/plethodon/vandykei/ Pictures]
* [http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/armiatlas/species.cfm?recordID=173671/ Distribution Map]