![]() The sperm is stored in her cloaca until breeding. The female then climbs over the cylindrical or cone-shaped spermatophore and the sperm is allowed to enter her vent. The male deposits a jellylike, sperm-capped glob (called a spermatophore) onto the ground. ( Bishop, 1941 Harding, 1997 Hom, 1987 Hulse, et al., 2001 Petranka, 1998)ĭusky salamanders, like most members of the Order Caudata, reproduce with a unique form of internal fertilization. Newly transformed salamanders are 2.8 to 4.4 cm (1.1 to 1.7 in.) long. After spending 7 to 11 months in the water they undergo metamorphosis (in the spring or summer after hatching). However they can survive in moist terrestrial environments for some time if required, and terrestrial metamorphosis may be possible. Because they are aquatic, they have gills, which are small and white. The larvae may stay with their mother for several days or even weeks before going to the water. Upon hatching, dusky salamander larvae are about 1.6 cm (0.6 in) long and have well-developed limbs. Average length 9.4 (male), 8.6 (female) cm in.( Bartlett and Bartlett, 2006 Bishop, 1941 Conant and Collins, 1998 Harding, 1997 Hulse, et al., 2001 Petranka, 1998) Also, members of this family have a naso-labial groove, which may aid in smelling, which is important when finding prey and identifying potential mates. They “breathe” via oxygen absorption through the skin and membranous tissue in the mouth and throat. fuscus is 9.4 cm, and the average length for a female is 8.6 cm.ĭesmognathus fuscus is in the family Plethodontidae, and thus is lungless. The belly is whitish with some dark speckles.Īdults are 6.4 to 14.2 cm (2.5-5.6 in) in length. The base of the tail is typically olive, yellow, or bright chestnut (a bit lighter than the body). The upper body varies from brown or reddish brown to gray or olive, with slightly darker markings on the top and sides. They have a keeled (knife-like) tail that is less than half the body length. ![]() Range elevation 0 to 1200 m 0.00 to 3937.01 ftĭesmognathus fuscus is a small but robust salamander with 14 costal grooves, and hind limbs that are larger than the front limbs.( Bartlett and Bartlett, 2006 Conant and Collins, 1998 Harding, 1997 Hulse, et al., 2001 Petranka, 1998) ![]() In the Great Smoky Mountains they are uncommon over 1200 m in elevation. Dusky salamanders can survive at a variety of altitudes, ranging from sea level to high in the Appalachian Mountains. In extremely cold conditions, they will burrow under gravel until they are below the frostline. If the stream substrate does not freeze, they can remain active year-round. They may go into the water to find cover under rocks or substrate if disturbed. Most often, they are found under flat rocks or logs near rocky or hillside streams or seeps, or in the moist, misty habitat near waterfalls. Northern dusky salamanders prefer wooded or partially wooded moist habitats with running or trickling sources of water. ( Bartlett and Bartlett, 2006 Bonnett, 2002 Conant and Collins, 1998 Harding, 1997 Petranka, 1998) ![]() A breeding population of Desmognathus fuscus has been found at one site in eastern Michigan whether this population is introduced or a natural relict has not yet been determined. See "Other Comments" below for further information. Most authorities now consider these to be separate species. Desmognathus fuscus recently included three subspecies, which continued the range to the Gulf Coast. Their distribution in the southern Appalachian Mountains is sporadic. Over most of their range, dusky salamanders are common in appropriate habitat. ![]() Northern dusky salamanders occur from southern New Brunswick and Quebec, along the East Coast to North Carolina, and west to Ohio, southern Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. ![]()
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