Black Salamander
Aneides flavipunctatus
Description
Distribution Range
General range map taken from CWHR, modified.
Typical Elevation
We do not yet have enough records from distinct localities to calculate typical elevation. We need 25 more distinct localities.
Taxonomy
The Black Salamander (Aneides flavipunctatus) was originally described in 1870 by Strauch as Plethodon flavipunctatus. See Amphibian Species of the World.
We do not currently recognized any subspecies.
Taxonomic Etymology
Aneides is from the Greek. The word εἶδος (eidos) means “that which is seen” - form, images, shape. The prefix αν (an) indicates opposite or without. Perhaps it is a reference to the secretive nature of these salamanders, IE they are not seen.
flavipunctatus is a combination of two Latin words. flavi is a verb that means "to be yellow". Punctātus is an adjective that indicates punctuated or spotted. The name flavipunctatus thus indicates the yellowish speckling many specimens have.
Taxonomy Notes
In 1925, this species was moved into the genus Aneides (Storer 1925).
The taxonomy I am using for this species differs from SSAR and is based upon the work done by Rissler and Apodaca 2007.
SSAR currently defines subspecies for Aneides flavipunctatus and would classify our population (if there are any in Shasta County) at the subspecies level as the Speckled Black Salamander (Aneides flavipunctatus flavipunctatus).
The work of Rissler and Apodaca 2007 identified four lineages within the species complex (pg 931):
- Central
- Northwest
- Shasta
- Southern Disjunct
The Central lineage covers the geographic range where the type specimen for the complex was collected and will thus remain Aneides flavipunctatus. No records for this lineage within Shasta County currently exist, but it is possible suitable habitat exists in the south western tier of Shasta County, and a record does exist from Tehama County very close to the border.
The Southern Disjunct lineage corresponds with the SSAR recognized subspecies Santa Cruz Black Salamander (Aneides flavipunctatus niger). The article authors recommended it be elevated to full species status (pg 938), which would leave Aneides flavipunctatus without any currently recognized subspecies. The Southern Disjunct lineage does not come anywhere close to Shasta County, but is mentioned here as a point of interest.
It is also suggested that the Shasta lineage be elevated to full species status (pg 938), using the taxonomic name Aneides iëcanus previously assigned by Cope in 1883. The Shasta lineage is found in Shasta County, and is quite possibly endemic to Shasta County.
While the Northwest lineage does appear to be genetically distinct from the Central lineage, the authors did not recommend elevating it to species status until more sampling could be done in the potential contact zones with the Central lineage (pg 937). For the time being, they will remain Aneides flavipunctatus. The Northwest lineage does not enter Shasta County.
Additional Information
Notes
The CWHR range map data for this species has been modified. What use to be considered a single species has since been determined to be a cryptic species complex consisting of multiple lineages that have been reproductively isolated for some time (Rissler and Apodaca 2007). The map shown here represents the possible range of the Central lineage within Shasta County, the range for the Shasta lineage has been removed. An effort should be made to survey for the presence of this lineage within our county.
Images
Unless otherwise noted, all images are of wild specimens in Shasta County.
Please be kind, do not hotlink images and do not use images without permission of the copyright owner.
There currently are no images to display.
Habitat Shots
Unless otherwise noted, these habitat shots are from within Shasta County where this species is known to occur.
There currently are no images to display.
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