Publication Type:
Journal ArticleSource:
Herpetologica, The Herpetologists' League, Volume 26, Issue 4, p.468-516 (1970)Call Number:
A70BRO02IDUSURL:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3890773Keywords:
Coeur d'Alene salamander, Del Norte salamander, Dunn's salamander, Larch Mountain salamander, Mary's Peak salamander, Plethodon dunni, Plethodon elongatus, Plethodon gordoni sp. nov., Plethodon idahoensis, Plethodon larselli, Plethodon stormi, Plethodon vandykei, Plethodon vehiculum, Siskiyou Mountains salamander, Van Dyke's salamander, western redback salamanderAbstract:
Western salamanders of the genus Plethodon constitute three species groups: Vandykei group (vandykei, larselli), Vehiculum group (vehiculum, dunni, gordoni sp. nov.), and Elongatus group (elongatus, stormi). P. gordoni is described as closely related to dunni, and subspecies of vandykei are not recognized due to the discordant nature of geographic variation. Each species is described in detail and a key to the species is provided. A dendrogram of proposed evolutionary relationships is presented; P. vandykei is considered the most primitive and elongatus is considered the most specialized. Character displacement is exhibited by sympatric dunni and gordoni. Character convergence occurs for dunni where it is sympatric with larselli and elongatus. Geographic variation in costal groove number, tooth numbers, limb length, pigment characters, and head shape was examined in each species. The number of maxillary plus premaxillary teeth was shown to be valuable in determining phylogenetic relationships. Significant geographic variation is present in vandykei, larselli, vehiculum, dunni, and elongatus but subspecific designations are not justified.
Notes:
Reference Code: A70BRO02IDUS
Full Citation: Brodie, Jr., E. D. 1970. Western salamanders of the genus Plethodon: systematics and geographic variation. Herpetologica 26(4): 468-516.
Location: ANIMAL EF: PLETHODON IDAHOENSIS