Dusky Salamander

[Cainschams]

I went out for a quick hike in a state park in Monroe County, Ohio. I did very minimal searching for amphibians because of time restraints and us wanting to hike through the stream. Lots of high rock walls and fun, treturous terrain. Its also not my favorite place to go hunting for salamanders but it does have the normally seen species.

Here are a couple photos of the stream. As you can see its been raining quite a bit lately.

The Redback Salamander.

And the best picture I took all day, of course not of the salamander, a Northern Green Frog, Rana clamitans melanota.

It seems I can only get decent pics when the sun is out, which wasnt today. This and being in a hurry made for some lousy pics but I thought I would share anyway. Hope you guys enjoy! There will be lots more to come.
[SIZE=+3][/SIZE]

 

[Yahilles]

Re: Redback Salamander, Plethodon cinereus

Very nice photos, but the animal depicted is not the redback salamander, but some species of dusky salamander - Desmognathus fuscus or Desmognathus ochrophaeus.

 

[FrogEyes]

Re: Redback Salamander, Plethodon cinereus

That was my thought too. Not flat enough, too much jaw muscle, and the color and pattern doesn't look Plethodon either. Salamanders of Ohio lists only D.fuscus in Monroe County, although D.ochrophaeus is found outside the state not much further east.

 

[Cainschams]

Re: Redback Salamander, Plethodon cinereus

Ahh, thanks guys!!! You are correct, it is not a Redback and I do think it is D. ochrophaeus although it does not show them being in Monroe County. Here is what I used to try to get an ID, Ohio Salamander Species. The only salamander without a pic was the D. ochrophaeus. I had thought it didnt look exactly like a Redback but D. ochrophaeus not being known in Monroe County threw me off. Ive hunted salamanders forever but have not really been too enthusiastic about identifying them. Bear with me!!

Should I report seeing this species in Monroe County?

Here is the pic of the frog that I forgot

 

[Kaysie]

Re: Redback Salamander, Plethodon cinereus

As for the dusky, you should report that to your local DNR office. But range maps are notoriously inaccurate, mostly because they haven't been surveyed!

 

[FrogEyes]

Re: Redback Salamander, Plethodon cinereus

I was thinking D.ochrophaeus, but I have my doubts. Based on the photos and the general circumstances, the habitat is closer to D.fuscus habitat. I can't tell the thickness of the tail base from the photo, and can't draw a conclusion from that. The tail though, looks like it has a dorsal ridge, which is consistent with D.fuscus.

It's alwyas worth documenting, but It would be ideal to confirm the ID first, if only by clear photos showing the diagnostic features. That is, whole-animal shots from the side and top, and belly if possible, and maybe closeups of body parts like tail and head, and the actual spot where found.

 

[John]

Re: Redback Salamander, Plethodon cinereus

It looks like Desmognathus fuscus to me. You have a whole heap of caudate beasties in your area of Ohio though. Keep an eye out for Pseudotriton ruber, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, Eurycea (I think you have cirrigera but it might be bislineata, I'd have to look at a map), Eurycea longicauda, Plethodon glutinosus, Hemidactylium scutatum and then there are the Ambystoma species. Where you're finding Desmogs you should have a shot at Pseudotriton, Gyrinophilus and Eurycea.