Eurycea wallacei (Carr 1939)

The Georgia blind salamander (Eurycea wallacei) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae (the "lungless salamanders"). It is endemic to the south-eastern United States where its natural habitats are inland karsts, caves and subterranean habitats (other than caves). It is listed as "Endangered" by the IUCN and is threatened by habitat loss.

Taxonomy

The Georgia blind salamander was originally described as a member of the monotypic genus Haideotriton, but was later placed in the genus Eurycea.^[2]

Distribution

The Georgia blind salamander is found in underground habitats in the Southeastern United States. Its precise distribution is unknown, however the first specimen to be examined scientifically was discovered in 1939 in water pumped from a deep well in Albany, Georgia.^[2] The only other locality in Georgia from which it is known is the Climax Cave, near Climax, Georgia, in Decatur County.^[3] The salamander is also known from at least eight locations near Marianna in Jackson County, Florida. All these locations are connected to the Floridan aquifer, a vast system of underground water-filled passageways in limestone which underlies much of the Southeastern United States.^[2]

Biology

Very little is known about the biology of this salamander. It feeds on ostracods, amphipods, isopods, copepods and other small aquatic prey. It frequents caverns where bats roost where bat droppings may fall into the water. Females with developing eggs have been found in May and November and it is thought that breeding may take place at any time of year. It appears to remain neotenic (breeding in its larval state) and no metamorphosised individuals have ever been found. The Dougherty Plain blind crayfish (Cambarus cryptodytes) is often found in the same habitat and may prey on the salamander, and fish such as the American eel (Anguilla rostrata), the brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) and the Redeye Chub (Notropis harperi) are also likely predators.^[2]

The eyes are extremely reduced, and are embedded in a mass of adipose tissue. Extrinsic eye muscles are absent, and the undifferentiated retina is lacking rods and cones, an outer plexiform layer, and a subdivided nuclear layer. In some individuals a rudimentary lense is present.^[4]

Habitat and conservation

The locations in which the Georgia blind salamander are found are connected by the Floridan aquifer and it is presumed that it is by this means that populations are linked. The water is usually clear, but may become cloudy after heavy rain, and remains at 18 to 21 °C (64 to 70 °F) throughout the year. Two of the caves in which this species was found at one time have since been destroyed. Other caves in the Florida Caverns State Park are protected and in these, populations of the salamander seem stable.^[2] The IUCN considers this species vulnerable. Threats include pollution from agricultural activities and changes in the water table due to the extraction of water from the aquifer. There is a possibility that populations may be impacted by over-removal for scientific purpose or by collectors.

Motion

It is blind, and uses its tail and ears to "see" where it is going. It moves weirdly, as expecting to be attacked at any time. ^[1]

See also

• Cave salamander

References

Wikispecies has information related to Eurycea wallacei.

Eurycea wallacei Eurycea generoko animalia da. Anfibioen barruko Plethodontidae familian sailkatuta dago, Caudata ordenan.

Erreferentziak

Ikus, gainera

• Plethodontidae

Kanpo estekak

Eurycea wallacei est une espèce d'urodèles de la famille des Plethodontidae^[1].

Répartition

Cette espèce est endémique du Sud-Est des États-Unis^[1]. Elle se rencontre dans des grottes :

• dans le nord-ouest de la Floride dans le comté de Jackson ;
• dans le sud de la Géorgie dans les comtés de Decatur et de Dougherty.

Étymologie

Cette espèce est nommée en l'honneur de Howard Keefer Wallace^[2].

Publication originale

• Carr, 1939 : Haideotriton wallacei, a new subterranean salamander from Georgia. Occasional Papers of the Boston Society of Natural History, vol. 8, p. 333-336 (texte intégral).

Notes et références

Haideotriton wallacei é uma espécie de salamandra da família Plethodontidae. É a única espécie do género Haideotriton.

É endémica dos Estados Unidos da América.

Os seus habitats naturais são: sistemas cársticos interiores, cavernas e habitats subterrâneos (excluindo cavernas).^[1]

Está ameaçada por perda de habitat.^[1]

Referências

• (em inglês) Hammerson, G. 2004. salamander%20wallacei Haideotriton wallacei. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Dados de 23 de Julho de 2007.

• 1 Опис
• 2 Спосіб життя
• 3 Розповсюдження
• 4 Джерела

Haideotriton wallacei (tên tiếng Anh: Georgia Blind Salamander) là một loài kỳ giông trong họ Plethodontidae. Thông thường nó được xếp vào chi Eurycea, nhưng trước đây được coi là loài duy nhất thuộc chi Haideotriton. Nó là loài đặc hữu của Hoa Kỳ.

Các môi trường sống tự nhiên của chúng là carxtơ nội địa, hang, và chỗ ở ngầm dưới đất (không hẳn là hang). Nó bị đe dọa do mất môi trường sống.

Tham khảo

• Hammerson, G.; Species Survival Commission (2004/2007). “Haideotriton wallacei – Vulnerable”. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN: The World Conservation Network. Truy cập ngày 23 tháng 7 năm 2007. Chú thích sử dụng tham số |coauthors= bị phản đối (trợ giúp); Kiểm tra giá trị ngày tháng trong: |date= (trợ giúp)

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