The Status of Three Uncommon Salamanders (Amphibia: Caudata) in Iowa

Authors

Jeffery D. Camper, Drake University

Document Type

Research

Keywords

Ambystoma texanum, Ambystoma laterale, Notophthalmus viridescens, Iowa, distribution, habitat

Abstract

The smallmouth salamander [Ambystoma texanum (Matthes)], blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale Hallowell), and central newt [Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis (Wolterstorff)] were studied in Iowa from fall 1982 through summer 1984. All three species have declined in abundance in Iowa. A. texanum is more abundant and widespread than was previously suspected, but is declining due to habitat destruction. Apparently, only two populations of A. laterale remain in Iowa. N. v. louisianensis has also declined due to habitat destruction, with only three populations known. All three species require ponds in or adjacent to forest. A. ta was found primarily in riparian forest. The other two species inhabited both riparian and upland forest. N. v. louisianensis was associated with permanent ponds containing aquatic vegetation.

Publication Date

December 1988

Journal Title

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

95

Issue

4

First Page

127

Last Page

130

Copyright

© Copyright 1988 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Camper, Jeffery D. (1988) "The Status of Three Uncommon Salamanders (Amphibia: Caudata) in Iowa," Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS, 95(4), 127-130.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/jias/vol95/iss4/6