Salamanders of Idaho Ambystomatidae Mole Salamanders Long-toed Salamander Long-toed Salamander Barred Tiger Salamander Idaho Giant Salamander Plethodontidae Lungless Salamanders Plethodontidae Lungless Salamanders Coeur d’Alene Salamander Salamandridae Newts Newts Roughskinned Newt Roughskinned Newt

Salamander Characteristics

Slender, Max length 4 inches (102mm) Bulky, max length 13 inches (330mm)

Salamander Characteristics Leonard et al. 1993

Salamander Characteristics Leonard et al. 1993

Salamander Characteristics

Adult Salamanders Ambystomatidae Plethodontidae Plethodontidae Salamandridae

Long-toed Salamander Ambystoma macrodactylum Max length= 6.25 inches (160mm)Max length= 6.25 inches (160mm) SVL length= 3.5 inches (85 mm)SVL length= 3.5 inches (85 mm) Rounded headRounded head Smooth skinSmooth skin Costal grooves presentCostal grooves present C.R. Peterson

Long-toed Salamander Eggs Eggs laid in … Eggs laid in … Either laid singly or in clusters Either laid singly or in clusters Take 2-4 weeks to hatch into larvae Take 2-4 weeks to hatch into larvae C.R. Peterson

Long-toed Salamander Larva Larval period lasts from 50 days - 14 months Larval period lasts from 50 days - 14 months Balancers present Balancers present Neoteny has not been observed Neoteny has not been observed C.R. Peterson

Barred Tiger Salamander Characteristics Ambystoma mavortium Max length 13 inches (327mm)Max length 13 inches (327mm) SVL length 6.5 inches (162 mm)SVL length 6.5 inches (162 mm) Broad, rounded headBroad, rounded head Small, protruding eyesSmall, protruding eyes No nasolabial grooveNo nasolabial groove C.R. Peterson

Barred Tiger Salamander Eggs Eggs hatch in 2-4 weeks Eggs hatch in 2-4 weeks C.R. Peterson

Barred Tiger Salamander Larvae Larval stage can last from 10 weeks - 2 years Larval stage can last from 10 weeks - 2 years Lacks balancers Lacks balancers ____________ does occur in this species ____________ does occur in this species C.R. Peterson

Idaho Giant Salamander Adult Dicamptodon aterrimus ______, max length 13 inches (330mm) ______, max length 13 inches (330mm) Inconspicuous costal grooves Inconspicuous costal grooves No nasolabial groove No nasolabial groove Smooth skin Smooth skin C.R. Peterson

Idaho Giant Salamander Eggs Nussbaum, Brodie, and Storm Eggs … Eggs … Females will guard and protect eggs and larvae until they leave the nest chamber. Females will guard and protect eggs and larvae until they leave the nest chamber. Dicamptodon ensatus

Idaho Giant Salamander Larvae Paedomorphic larvae may exceed 12” (300 mm) total length. Paedomorphic larvae may exceed 12” (300 mm) total length. Larval period lasts from months Larval period lasts from months Lacks balancers Lacks balancers After 24 months, if no metamorphosis, larvae become paedomorphic After 24 months, if no metamorphosis, larvae become paedomorphic C.R. Peterson

Coeur d’Alene Salamander Plethodon idahoensis Max length 4 inches (102mm) Max length 4 inches (102mm) Yellowish dorsal stripe with uneven edges Yellowish dorsal stripe with uneven edges Slender shape Slender shape Smooth skin Smooth skin Slightly webbed toes Slightly webbed toes C.R. Peterson

Coeur d’Alene Salamander Reproduction Eggs are laid in … Plethodon vandykei W. P. Leonard C.R. Peterson

Rough-skinned Newt Taricha granulosa Max length 7.9 inches (200mm) Max length 7.9 inches (200mm) Dark brown dorsal coloration Dark brown dorsal coloration No costal grooves No costal grooves No nasolabial groove No nasolabial groove Relatively small eyes Relatively small eyes C.R. Peterson

Rough-skinned Newt Larva W.P. Leonard External, feather-like gills External, feather-like gills Eyes along outer margin of head Eyes along outer margin of head C.R. Peterson

Similar Species Coeur d’Alene Salamander Long-toed Salamander C.R. Peterson W.P. Leonard

Tiger Salamander W. P. Leonard Idaho Giant Salamander Similar Species C.R. Peterson

Idaho Salamander Eggs Ambystomatidae Dicamptodontidae Plethodontidae W. P. Leonard Nussbaum, Brodie, and Storm C.R. Peterson

Idaho Salamander Larvae Ambystomatidae Dicamptodontidae Salamandridae W. P. Leonard C.R. Peterson

Salamander Distributions

Salamander Habitat C.R. Peterson

Status and Conservation See species checklists See species checklists Idaho Department of Fish and Game – Conservation Data Center: Idaho Department of Fish and Game – Conservation Data Center:

Conservation Status

Taxa GRank SRank ESAFSR1 FSR4 BLM IDFG Classification Idaho Giant Salamander Dicamptodon aterrimus G3S3 TYPE 3 Protected Nongame Species Coeur d'Alene Salamander Plethodon idahoensisG4S2 S TYPE 3 Protected Nongame Species APPENDIX B: COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF IDAHO SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED. Assignment: Download this document and use it to fill out the species natural history tables.

Conservation Status

Detection / Collection Techniques for Salamanders C.R. Peterson

Detection / Collection Techniques for Salamanders

Detection / Collection Techniques for Salamanders C.R. Peterson

Detection / Collection Techniques for Salamanders C.R. Peterson

Detection / Collection Techniques for Salamanders

Detection / Collection Techniques for Salamanders C.R. Peterson

Detection / Collection Techniques for Salamanders C.R. Peterson

References Koch, E.D. and C.R. Peterson Amphibians and Reptiles of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. University of Utah Press.Koch, E.D. and C.R. Peterson Amphibians and Reptiles of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. University of Utah Press. Leonard, W.P., H.A. Brown, L.C. Jones, K.R. McAllister, and R.M. Storm Amphibians of Washington and Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Washington.Leonard, W.P., H.A. Brown, L.C. Jones, K.R. McAllister, and R.M. Storm Amphibians of Washington and Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Washington. Nussbaum, R.A. E.D. Brodie, and R.M. Storm Amphibians and reptiles of the Pacific Northwest. University Press of Idaho, Moscow. 332 p.Nussbaum, R.A. E.D. Brodie, and R.M. Storm Amphibians and reptiles of the Pacific Northwest. University Press of Idaho, Moscow. 332 p. Stebbins, R.C A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.Stebbins, R.C A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.

Further Information Corkran, C.C. and C.R. Thoms Amphibians of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia - A Field Identification Guide. Lone Pine Publishing, Vancouver, British Columbia.Corkran, C.C. and C.R. Thoms Amphibians of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia - A Field Identification Guide. Lone Pine Publishing, Vancouver, British Columbia. Digital Atlas of Idaho: Atlas of Idaho: Groves, C Idaho’s Amphibians and Reptiles. Nongame Leaflet # 7. Idaho Department of Fish and Game.Groves, C Idaho’s Amphibians and Reptiles. Nongame Leaflet # 7. Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Department of Fish and Game – Conservation Status: Lannoo, M Amphibian Declines: The Conservation Status of United States Species. University of California Press.Lannoo, M Amphibian Declines: The Conservation Status of United States Species. University of California Press. Petranka, JW Salamanders of the United States and Canada.Petranka, JW Salamanders of the United States and Canada.

Review Question for Exam Be able to identify the Idaho species of salamanders without the use of any reference materials.Be able to identify the Idaho species of salamanders without the use of any reference materials. Be able to describe the characteristics, distribution, habitat, activity patterns, diets, defensive adaptations, and reproductive habitats, and conservation status of the Idaho salamanders from memory.Be able to describe the characteristics, distribution, habitat, activity patterns, diets, defensive adaptations, and reproductive habitats, and conservation status of the Idaho salamanders from memory.

15. Identify the family.

16. Identify the species. 17. What does this species eat?

18. What species of salamander might you find in this pond in southeastern Idaho?

19. How does this species defend itself ?