Wikipedia
List of amphibians of Massachusetts
This is a list of Massachusetts amphibians. It includes all amphibians currently found in Massachusetts. It does not include species found only in captivity. One species is identified as indicated below:
Salamanders edit
Name | Species/Authority | Order | Family | Range and status | IUCN Red List |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Common mudpuppy | Necturus maculosus | Salamander | Proteidae | Common; Introduced to the Connecticut River in 1936; However, there are records from the Connecticut River in Connecticut as early as 1875; The mudpuppy has also been reported from lakes in Berkshire County which probably means it is native to Western Massachusetts | |
Jefferson salamander | Ambystoma jeffersonianum | Salamander | Ambystomatidae | Uncommon; Found mainly throughout Western Massachusetts; This amphibians range includes the blue spotted/Jefferson salamander hybrid, where both species interbreed and creates hybrids; It is a species of special concern in the Commonwealth due to habitat loss | |
Blue-spotted salamander | Ambystoma laterale | Salamander | Ambystomatidae | Uncommon; Reported from Bristol County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Eastern Worcester County, and Norfolk County; Distinguished from most salamanders by its blue spots; Reports of Western Worcester county may represent the Jefferson salamander; Listed as special concern due to habitat loss | |
Spotted salamander | Ambystoma maculatum | Salamander | Ambystomatidae | Common; Statewide except Nantucket | |
Marbled salamander | Ambystoma opacum | Salamander | Ambystomatidae | Rare; Statewide except Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Dukes County; Threatened in the Commonwealth; There are old records from Plymouth and Essex counties; This species is difficult to locate, making it rare; The fact that Massachusetts is its almost northernmost limit of its range (it is also found in southern New Hampshire) makes it clear why its rare in the state | |
Northern dusky salamander | Desmognathus fuscus | Salamander | Plethodontidae | Common; Statewide except Cape Cod, Dukes, and Nantucket counties | |
Northern two-lined salamander | Eurycea bislineata | Salamander | Plethodontidae | Common; Statewide except Dukes County and Nantucket; Rare in Cape Cod | |
Spring salamander | Gyrinophilus porphyriticus | Salamander | Plethodontidae | Locally common to uncommon; Found in Central and Western Massachusetts | |
Four-toed salamander | Hemidactyllium scutatum | Salamander | Plethodontidae | Common but rarely seen; Statewide except possibly Suffolk county | |
Eastern red-backed salamander | Plethodon cinereus | Salamander | Plethodontidae | Very common; Statewide | |
Eastern newt | Notopthalmus viridescens | Salamander | Salamandridae | Common; Statewide except Nantucket |
Frogs and toads edit
Name | Species/authority | Order | Family | Range and status | IUCN Red List |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern spadefoot | Scaphiopus holbrookii | Frog | Scaphiopodidae | Rare; Threatened in the Commonwealth; Most populations are found in Cape Cod and coastal Essex county, but it is also found in the Connecticut River Valley; Due to habitat loss, it is extirpated from inland Essex county, most of Martha Vineyard, and most of the Connecticut River | |
American toad | Anaxyrus americanus | Frog | Bufonidae | Common; Statewide except Nantucket | |
Fowler's toad | Anaxyrus fowleri | Frog | Bufonidae | Common; Formerly statewide; Extirpated from Nantucket, Cuttyhunk Island, Muskeget Island, and parts of Martha's Vineyard due to pesticides and pollution; A population still exists in Tuckernuck Island | |
Gray treefrog | Hyla versicolor | Frog | Hylidae | Common; Statewide except possibly Nantucket | |
Spring peeper | Pseudacris crucifer | Frog | Hylidae | Common; Statewide | |
American bullfrog | Lithobates catesbeiana | Frog | Ranidae | Common; Statewide; Introduced to Nantucket | |
American green frog | Lithobates clamitans | Frog | Ranidae | Common; Statewide | |
Pickerel frog | Lithobates palustris | Frog | Ranidae | Common; Statewide | |
Northern leopard frog | Lithobates pipiens | Frog | Ranidae | Uncommon; Declining; Statewide except Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Dukes County | |
Southern leopard frog | Lithobates sphenocephala | Frog | Ranidae | Introduced; Specimens caught in various areas were probably escaped captives; may soon be established | |
Wood frog | Lithobates sylvatica | Frog | Ranidae | Common; Statewide except Dukes County and Nantucket |
References edit
Massachusetts Reptiles and Amphibians List J.E. Cardoza and P.G. Mirick
. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. 1997. Checklist of Amphibian Species and Identification Guide: An Online Guide for the Identification of Amphibians in North America north of Mexico. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.