Necturus alabamensis

Alabama Waterdog
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Subclass:	Lissamphibia
Order:	Caudata
Family:	Proteidae
Genus:	Necturus
Species:	N. alabamensis
Binomial name
Necturus alabamensis Viosca, 1937

The Alabama Waterdog is a medium-sized perennibranch salamander inhabiting rivers and streams of the south-eastern United States. It is listed as endangered in most states where it occurs.

Physical description

Necturus alabamensis is a medium-sized Necturus (15-22 cm) with four toes and a laterally compressed tail. Gills are permanent, bushy, and red. Typical adults exhibit a brown or black dorsum with minimal or no spotting, and the ventral side is white and often unspotted. With the exception of the Black Warrior River population, juveniles do not exhibit stripped larvae.

Distribution

The Alabama waterdog is found eastern Mississippi, Alabama, the Florida panhandle, and western Georgia. This species is becoming uncommon in many parts of its range because of habitat loss and predation by introduced fish.

Diet

N. alabamensis typically consumes invertebrates such as crayfish, amphipods, and insect larvae, as well as vertebrates such as small fish.

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of N. alabamensis is poorly understood. It is believed to be related to N. maculosus and N. beyeri. It is known to hybridize with N. beyeri, though electrophoretical evidence suggests they are separate species. The Black Warrior River population of N. alabamenis is currently under review and may constitute its own species.

References

• Petranka, James W. (1998) Salamanders of the United States and Canada, Washington and London: Smithsonian Institution Press.
• AmphibiaWeb
• Global Amphibian Assessment