Van Dyke's salamander (Plethodon vandykei) is a small woodland salamander in the family Plethodontidae, the lungless salamanders. These animals breathe through their skin and are largely terrestrial. Compared to other salamanders in Plethodon it is relatively stocky with long legs. Usually associated with streams, seepages, and rock outcrops, it is endemic to Washington where it is found in a limited number of small, isolated populations.
Van Dyke's salamander was first described by John Van Denburgh in 1906 from a specimen found in Mount Rainier National Park. The species was named in honor of its collector, Edwin Cooper Van Dyke. The Coeur d'Alene salamander (Plethodon idahoensis) and the Larch Mountain salamander (Plethodon larselli) are its two closest relatives in the region. At one time, all three were thought to be members of the same species until genetic studies concluded that they were distinct species.[2][3]
Van Dyke's salamander has a relatively stocky body and grows up to 10 cm long. There are parotoid glands behind the eyes, and the feet are broad and slightly webbed. Different color phases are described based on body color, which can be black, yellow, or pink. The "dark phase" has a black ground color and yellow or red dorsal stripe. The stripe appears to have drops of color extending down the sides. The "light phase" is tan, yellow or rose with an indistinct stripe.[2] Dark phase individuals have white speckling on the sides and a yellow throat. Multiple color phases can occur within the same population.
They are completely terrestrial but require high soil moisture and cool temperatures. They are most active in the spring after snow-melt and in the fall after the onset of the rainy season. They avoid the summer heat and the freezing temperatures of winter, seeking shelter beneath stones or within rotting logs. Courtship and egg laying occurs in the spring. Clutch size ranges from 7-14 eggs which measure about 4–5 mm in diameter. Females attend the eggs until hatching in the fall. There is no larval stage; hatchlings emerge as juvenile salamanders.[4]
Van Dyke's salamander is endemic to the western portion of Washington. It occurs in three disjunct areas: on the Olympic Peninsula, in the Willapa Hills, and in the southern Cascade Range. They generally occur in small isolated populations that are usually associated with streams, seepages, and rock outcrops. Van Dyke's Salamander is absent from the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range and Olympic Range, suggesting this salamander's association with high rainfall regions. In coastal areas, it is mostly found in old forest stands that have moderate to high levels of woody debris and fractured rock present. Large decaying conifer logs along streams appear to be important habitat for nesting.[4]
Threats to the Van Dyke's salamander are not well studied, but patchy distribution and low population densities would indicate that this species should receive conservation attention. Populations are at risk from logging, road construction, and other activities that could impact or degrade their specific habitat requirements. Surveys suggest that this species has limited ability to survive in disturbed habitat.[5] It occurs in two protected areas, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Olympic National Park.[2][4]
Van Dyke's salamander (Plethodon vandykei) is a small woodland salamander in the family Plethodontidae, the lungless salamanders. These animals breathe through their skin and are largely terrestrial. Compared to other salamanders in Plethodon it is relatively stocky with long legs. Usually associated with streams, seepages, and rock outcrops, it is endemic to Washington where it is found in a limited number of small, isolated populations.
Plethodon vandykei Plethodon generoko animalia da. Anfibioen barruko Plethodontidae familian sailkatuta dago, Caudata ordenan.
Plethodon vandykei Plethodon generoko animalia da. Anfibioen barruko Plethodontidae familian sailkatuta dago, Caudata ordenan.
Plethodon vandykei est une espèce d'urodèles de la famille des Plethodontidae[1].
Cette espèce est endémique de l'État de Washington aux États-Unis. Elle se rencontre du niveau de la mer jusqu'à 1 550 m d'altitude dans la chaîne des Cascades et dans les montagnes Olympiques dans la péninsule Olympique notamment dans le parc national Olympique[2].
Plethodon vandykei apprécie les zones humides à proximité des lacs et des rivières aussi bien en plaine qu'en zones montagneuses couvertes de forêts. Il se cache sous des rochers ou des troncs d'arbres[3].
Plethodon vandykei peut atteindre 10 cm de longueur totale[4],[5]. Il dispose de larges glandes parotoïdes sur chaque côté de sa tête. Il a en général un ventre de couleur sombre et peut avoir des points blancs éparpillés. Il peut également présenter des colorations jaune/orange, rose/saumon et jaune avec des bandes noires. Ces variations de couleurs proviendraient de variations dans le climat où se trouve l'animal. Le mâle à une gorge jaune lorsqu'il est en période de reproduction.
Plethodon vandykei est surtout actif de nuit lorsque le climat est humide et lorsqu'il ne gèle pas. Il est particulièrement actif au printemps durant la période humide causée par la fonte des neiges mais aussi durant la période humide de l'automne. La période estivale est en général plus sèche tandis qu'en hiver il doit se cacher pour se préserver du froid.
La femelle pond ses œufs en petits groupes généralement à l'intérieur de troncs d'arbres en décomposition. La femelle protège les œufs de la ponte (au printemps) jusqu'à l'éclosion (en été).
Cette espèce est nommée en l'honneur d'Edwin Cooper Van Dyke[6].
Plethodon vandykei est une espèce d'urodèles de la famille des Plethodontidae.
Plethodon vandykei — вид хвостатих амфібій родини Безлегеневі саламандри (Plethodontidae).
Вид є ендеміком США. Поширений у Каскадних горах, що знаходяться на заході країни у штатах Вашингтон, Айдахо та Монтана. Зустрічається у помірних лісах.
Це незавершена стаття з герпетології.Plethodon vandykei — вид хвостатих амфібій родини Безлегеневі саламандри (Plethodontidae).
