Overview
The relictual slender salamander belongs to the family Plethodontidae, known as the lungless salamanders. It is the smallest of all slender salamander species and is found in Sequoia National Forest of California in the Kern River Canyon.
The species is known historically from 13 sites: Five sites on the south side of the Kern River in the Lower Kern River Canyon from 1,200 to 2,400 feet elevation, and eight sites on Breckenridge Mountain from 4,000 to 6,300 feet elevation. The range can be divided into three distinct geographic groups: the Lower Kern River Canyon Group, the Lucas Creek Group and the Squirrel Meadow Group. The relictual slender salamander has not been found in the Lower Kern River Canyon since 1968. Surveys in the Lower Kern River Canyon conducted in the decade following construction of the highway concluded that the species had been extirpated from the Lower Kern River Canyon. The two extant geographic groups on Breckenridge Mountain are separated by less than 3.1 miles.
Given their reliance on water and cool and humid habitat, the greatest threats to the salamanders include the impacts of climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change , such as drought, and catastrophic wildfire.
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Life Cycle
They deposit their eggs on land in cool, damp crevices that are within the margins of water sources. Reproduction occurs entirely on land and eggs hatch as miniature adults.
While the life span of the relictual slender salamander is unknown, the maximum age of the closely related species, the California slender salamander, is thought to be 8 to 10 years, reaching reproductive maturity after 2 to 4 years.
Similar Species
Habitat
They can be found under cover objects within moist microhabitat near seeps, perennial springs and small creeks in rocky areas with limited tree cover of oaks, pines, firs, buckeyes and sycamores.
A dense growth of trees and underbrush covering a large tract.
A landmass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill.
A natural body of running water.
Food
Like other slender salamanders, their diet is likely composed of small invertebrates, earthworms and slugs.
Physical Characteristics
It is the smallest member of its genus, measuring up to 2 inches, not including the tail. Its body is relatively short and slender with moderately long limbs and 18–19 costal grooves.
The coloration is blackish brown with a reddish, yellowish or brown dorsal stripe.
Geography
The relictual slender salamander range is entirely within Sequoia National Forest and has the smallest range of any of the described species of slender salamander.
Timeline
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