Shasta Black Salamander
Aneides iëcanus
![[Shasta Black Salamander]](/images/90ds.jpg)
©William Flaxington
Description
Distribution Range
General range map taken from CWHR, modified.
Museum records taken from following institutions: CAS Herps, MVZ Herps, LSUMZ Herps.
Typical Elevation
Based on records in our database, in Shasta County the Shasta Black Salamander is typically found at elevations from 325m to 825m (1066ft to 2705ft). Minimum elevation we have a record for is 257m (843ft). Maximum elevation we have a record for is 1128m (3699ft).
Taxonomy
The Shasta Black Salamander (Aneides iëcanus) was originally described in 1883 by Cope as Plethodon iëcanus. See Amphibian Species of the World.
There are no currently recognized 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.
iëcanus - ??
Taxonomy Notes
In 1886, 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 considers this taxon to be a junior synonym of Aneides flavipunctatus and would classify them 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 Shasta lineage within Shasta County, the possible range for the Central lineage has been removed.
The Shasta lineage range was then slightly modified to include museum records that fell outside the CVWHR range. A cluster of museum records some distance from the CWHR indicated range has been added as an isolated population. They may in fact not be isolated, but until data exists to suggest how they are connected, they are presented as isolated. An effort should be made to survey for the species in suitable habitat between the isolate and the main range.
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.
![[Shasta Black Salamander]](/images/90sm.jpg)
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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