Limestone salamander

Taxobox
name = Limestone salamander
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Amphibia
ordo = Caudata
familia = Plethodontidae
genus = "Hydromantes"
binomial = "Hydromantes brunus"
binomial_authority = (Gorman, 1954)

The limestone salamander. "Hydromantes brunus", is a lungless salamander endemic to a portion of the Merced River Canyon in Mariposa County, California. [ [http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/h.brunus.html "Hydromantes brunus ": Limestone Salamander] ] This member of the plethodontidae family breathes through its skin and manifests a flattened body and head. It is typically 5.0 to 7.5 centimeters in length and has webbed toes. The total population of this rare species is estimated at less than 2000 individuals.

The creature's specialized habitat is canyon slopes that are greater than 35 degrees. [http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/articles/ecores2.html Colleen Flannery, "Ecological Reserves: Special protection for special places", Outdoor California Magazine, November - December 2001] ] According to Earth Metrics, the sole Merced River Canyon habitat is part of an area "representative of foothill habitats forming a band along the length of the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the western slopes at intermediate elevations. As a whole, this band is one of the largest contiguous wildlife habitats in the state [of California] " [Earth Metrics, "Environmental Impact Report for the Saxon Creek Water Project, Mariposa County, California", published by the County of Mariposa Planning Department, Report 10298, May, 1990] A portion of the Merced River Canyon is protected by the State of California and managed by the State Department of Fish and Game as the "Limestone Salamander Ecological Reserve" [http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/articles/ecores2.html Colleen Flannery, "Ecological Reserves: Special protection for special places", Outdoor California Magazine, November - December 2001] ]

ee also

*Shasta salamander

Line notes