- Idaho Giant Salamander
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Idaho Giant Salamander Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family: Dicamptodontidae Genus: Dicamptodon Species: D. aterrimus Binomial name Dicamptodon aterrimus
(Cope, 1867 [1868])The Idaho Giant Salamander, Dicamptodon aterrimus, is a species of salamander. There are three closely related species to this taxon: D. ensatus, (California Giant Salamander), D. copei (Cope's Giant Salamander) and D. tenebrosus (Coastal Giant Salamander) also known as the (Pacific Giant Salamander).[1]
Contents
Description
The Idaho Giant Salamander is the darkest and most intricately blotched of the Giant Salamanders.[2] Varying between brown, purple, tan, grey, and a copperish color, Idaho giant salamanders are large and robust predators. Tiger Salamanders and Idaho Giant Salamanders have superficial resemblance pertaining to size and shape, but the costal grooves and foot tubercles are significantly different between the two species. With a defining thick head and body along with a fourth toe on the hind foot with only three segments; this species of salamander has its own unique features. Adults are typically 20 cm in length[3] but may vary between 7 and 11.75 inches long, but can be observed around 13 inches.
Small external gills adapted for small stream living can be found on their larvae. Their larvae are usually tan with yellow blotches over their dermis. They can undergo paedomorphosis, but most become mature adults.
Distribution
This species of salamander is found in forested watersheds from lake Coeur d’Alene to the Salmon River, and in two locations in Montana around mineral county.
Behavior
Larvae are predators but tend to sit and wait for their food to come to them. Usually they feed on small invertebrates and some small vertebrates. This can include tadpoles, fish, and other salamanders. Adults usually feed on terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates. They will eat things as large as shrews, mice, and small snakes, along with other salamanders. They will eat anything that they can catch.
Fish, weasels, water shrews, and garter snakes are a few of their predators. To help defend against these predators they have a few strong defense mechanisms to help them survive. They use toxic secretion from their skin, warning postures, a "bark" vocalization, and they will bite. An Idaho Giant salamanders bite can easily break the skin of a human.
Taxonomy
Kingdom Animalia (animals)
Eumetazoa (metazoans) Bilateria (bilaterally symmetrical animals) Deuterostomia (deuterostomes) Phylum Chordata (chordates) Craniata (craniates) Subphylum Vertebrata (vertebrates) Superclass Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) Euteleostomi (bony vertebrates) Class Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fishes and terrestrial vertebrates) Tetrapoda (tetrapods) Class Amphibia (amphibians) Subclass Lissamphibia (amphibians) Order Caudata (salamanders) Family Dicamptodontidae (Pacific giant salamanders) Genus Dicamptodon (Pacific giant salamander) Species Dicamptodon aterrimus (Idaho giant salamander)Line notes
References
- Richard Cannings. 2007. The Rockies: A Natural History, Greystone Books, 304 pages ISBN 1553652851, 9781553652854
- Robert Stebbins. 2003. "Peterson Field Guides: Western Reptiles and Amphibians Third Edition". Pages 159-160. ISBN 0395982723
- C. Michael Hogan. 2008. Pacific Giant Salamander: Dicamptodon ensatus, Globaltwitcher.com, ed. N. Stromberg
- http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/amphibians/idahogiantsalamander.htm
Categories:- IUCN Red List least concern species
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