Melanistic A. maculatum?

Greatwtehunter

Greatwtehunter

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Justin
So I was out herping a few weeks back and came across this unusual fellow. Pictures really don't do it justice as it has an even more purple coloration in person. I have seen literally thousands of spotted salamanders in the wild and this is the first one I have ever came across that looks anything remotely like this.

Your thoughts?
 

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It very well could be a "spotless" spotted salamander. We actually have a population of this variation about 20 miles south of DC!
 
That is an amazing animal. I, like you, have seen many spotteds in my life; but none like that!
What a A. maculatum!:eek:
 
Yep, see the rare spotless spotted every now and again, and have heard of spotless populations. I'm not sure if it's just a pattern aberrancy or if its a recessive trait though.
 
Wow, nice find Justin. Never seen a maculatum quite like this.
 
Sure it's not a hybrid? Those ambystoma sure do like to hybridize. Gotta love kleptogenesis :D Either way looks pretty cool.
 
Willlis said:
Sure it's not a hybrid? Those ambystoma sure do like to hybridize. Gotta love kleptogenesis :D Either way looks pretty cool.
Click to expand...

Positive. Only other Ambystoma in range of where I found this girl is opacum.
 
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