Melanistic A. maculatum?

[Greatwtehunter]

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?

 

[RADDC]

It very well could be a "spotless" spotted salamander. We actually have a population of this variation about 20 miles south of DC!

 

[josh1990]

That is an amazing animal. I, like you, have seen many spotteds in my life; but none like that!
What a A. maculatum!

 

[Infamous82]

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.

 

[Linus]

Wow, nice find Justin. Never seen a maculatum quite like this.

 

[Willlis]

Sure it's not a hybrid? Those ambystoma sure do like to hybridize. Gotta love kleptogenesis Either way looks pretty cool.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Sure it's not a hybrid? Those ambystoma sure do like to hybridize. Gotta love kleptogenesis Either way looks pretty cool.

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