It is now considered a member of the genus Eurycea, but was originally described as Typhlotriton braggi.[3]
It was described in 1968, but was later synonymized with the grotto salamander (E. spelaea), but a 2017 study found substantial genetic differences between the clades classified in E. spelaea and once again split them into distinct species. It is thought to have diverged from the northern grotto salamander (E. nerea) during the Late Miocene. All three grotto salamanders are thought to descend from an ancestral surface-dwelling form.[3]
Distribution and habitatedit
This species is found in the Ozarks of northern Arkansas, where it is found in the East Springfield Plateau. It is found east of the White River basin. It inhabits freshwater springs (as a juvenile), inland karsts, and caves.[3]
Descriptionedit
This is a troglobitic species that has evolved several troglomorphisms such as a pale coloration and reduced eyesight, much like E. spelaea. Alongside E. spelaea and E. nerea, it is the only blind, troglobitic salamander that undergoes full metamorphosis.[3][4]
Referencesedit
^"Eurycea braggi (Smith, 1968) | Amphibian Species of the World". amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
^ abcdPhillips, John G.; Fenolio, Danté B.; Emel, Sarah L.; Bonett, Ronald M. (2017). "Hydrologic and geologic history of the Ozark Plateau drive phylogenomic patterns in a cave-obligate salamander". Journal of Biogeography. 44 (11): 2463–2474. doi:10.1111/jbi.13047. ISSN 1365-2699. S2CID 49239415.
^Conant, Roger, and Joseph T. Collins (1998) Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians Eastern/Central North America. 3rd ed. Houghton Mifflin Company, p. 498 ISBN0395904528
May 03, 2024
southern, grotto, salamander, southern, grotto, salamander, eurycea, braggi, species, salamander, family, plethodontidae, endemic, northern, arkansas, united, states, scientific, classification, domain, eukaryota, kingdom, animalia, phylum, chordata, class, am. The southern grotto salamander Eurycea braggi is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae It is endemic to northern Arkansas in the United States 1 2 Southern grotto salamander Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Amphibia Order Urodela Family Plethodontidae Genus Eurycea Species E braggi Binomial name Eurycea braggi Smith 1968 Synonyms Typhlotriton braggi Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Description 4 ReferencesTaxonomy editIt is now considered a member of the genus Eurycea but was originally described as Typhlotriton braggi 3 It was described in 1968 but was later synonymized with the grotto salamander E spelaea but a 2017 study found substantial genetic differences between the clades classified in E spelaea and once again split them into distinct species It is thought to have diverged from the northern grotto salamander E nerea during the Late Miocene All three grotto salamanders are thought to descend from an ancestral surface dwelling form 3 Distribution and habitat editThis species is found in the Ozarks of northern Arkansas where it is found in the East Springfield Plateau It is found east of the White River basin It inhabits freshwater springs as a juvenile inland karsts and caves 3 Description editThis is a troglobitic species that has evolved several troglomorphisms such as a pale coloration and reduced eyesight much like E spelaea Alongside E spelaea and E nerea it is the only blind troglobitic salamander that undergoes full metamorphosis 3 4 References edit Eurycea braggi Smith 1968 Amphibian Species of the World amphibiansoftheworld amnh org Retrieved 2021 12 22 AmphibiaWeb Eurycea braggi amphibiaweb org Retrieved 2021 12 22 a b c d Phillips John G Fenolio Dante B Emel Sarah L Bonett Ronald M 2017 Hydrologic and geologic history of the Ozark Plateau drive phylogenomic patterns in a cave obligate salamander Journal of Biogeography 44 11 2463 2474 doi 10 1111 jbi 13047 ISSN 1365 2699 S2CID 49239415 Conant Roger and Joseph T Collins 1998 Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians Eastern Central North America 3rd ed Houghton Mifflin Company p 498 ISBN 0395904528 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Southern grotto salamander amp oldid 1164752639, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
