The Talladega seal salamander (Desmognathus cheaha) is a mid-sized stream-dwelling plethodontid salamander native to the Southeastern United States. This species was split from the common seal salamander (Desmognathus monticola) in 2022.[1]
| Talladega seal salamander | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Plethodontidae |
| Subfamily: | Plethodontinae |
| Genus: | Desmognathus |
| Species: | D. cheaha
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| Binomial name | |
| Desmognathus cheaha Pyron and Beamer, 2023
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Distribution and habitat
editThe Talladega seal salamander can be found in the U.S. States of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. This species occurs in the Ridge & Valley, Piedmont, and Coastal/Southeastern Plains physiographic provinces, in contrast with Desmognathus monticola, which predominantly occurs in the Appalachian highlands.[1] The only known population in Florida is believed to have undergone a dramatic population decline, and may be extirpated, after nearby logging activities impacted stream habitat.[2]
The Talladega seal salamander occurs in streams throughout its range. Populations in the Coastal Plain appear to be restricted to high-gradient streams and microhabitats in contact with rock and flowing water.[3][1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Pyron, R Alexander; O'Connell, Kyle A; Duncan, Sophie C; Burbrink, Frank T; Beamer, David A (2023-05-19). Carstens, Bryan C (ed.). "Speciation Hypotheses from Phylogeographic Delimitation Yield an Integrative Taxonomy for Seal Salamanders ( Desmognathus monticola )". Systematic Biology. 72 (1): 179–197. doi:10.1093/sysbio/syac065. ISSN 1063-5157. PMID 36169600.
- ^ Holzheuser, Chace R.; Means, D. Bruce (2021). "Decline of the Seal Salamander, Desmognathus monticola, in Florida, USA" (PDF). Herpetological Conservation and Biology. 16 (3): 506–512.
- ^ Folkerts, G. W. (1969). "The Genus Desmognathus, Baird, (Amphibia: Plethodontidae) in Alabama". Ph.D. Dissertation. Auburn University.
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