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Home/Species/ Long-toed Salamander

Ambystoma macrodactylum

Baird, 1849

Long-toed Salamander

G5Secure Found in 154 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
PSESA Status
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.106403
Element CodeAAAAA01080
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAmphibia
OrderCaudata
FamilyAmbystomatidae
GenusAmbystoma
USESAPS
Other Common Names
long-toed salamander (EN) Salamandre à longs doigts (FR)
Concept Reference
Frost, D. R. 1985. Amphibian species of the world. A taxonomic and geographical reference. Allen Press, Inc., and The Association of Systematics Collections, Lawrence, Kansas. v + 732 pp.
Taxonomic Comments
Lee-Yaw and Irwin (2012) and Lee-Yaw et al. (2014) evaluated geographic variation of mtDNA and nuclear genes throughout the range of the species and found the distributions of five lineages did not completely agree with those of the five presently recognized subspecies, but suggested no changes in the taxonomy of the species (Crother 2017).

For phylogenetic analyses of North American Ambystoma, see Kraus (1988), Shaffer et al. (1991), and Jones et al. (1993).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2015-06-05
Change Date2001-12-14
Edition Date2011-05-02
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G., and T. A. Gotthardt. Rev. by S. MacDonald, University of New Mexico; B. Anderson, National Park Service, Anchorage, AK.<br />
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent20,000-2,500,000 square km (about 8000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 to >300
Range Extent Comments
Range extends from southeastern Alaska southward to Tuolumne County, California, east to Rocky Mountains (east to east-central British Columbia, west-central Alberta, western Montana, and central Idaho). Isolated populations exist in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, California (Bury et al. 1980). Elevational range extends from sea level to about 10,000 feet (Stebbins 1985).
Occurrences Comments
Many occurrences.
Threat Impact Comments
In the Cascades of northern Washington, larval abundance was related to both lake productivity and the presence of introduced trout (reduced larval abundance when trout present) (Tyler et al. 1998). In Montana, introduced trout populations clearly excluded salamanders from lakes (Funk and Dunlap 1999).

In developed areas, the destruction of wetland habitats may be the greatest threat. Human disturbance such as road and trail construction, timber harvest, grazing, and fire management may result in fragmentation of terrestrial habitat and breeding ponds (Fukumoto 1995 in Graham and Powell 1999, Maxell 2000, Paton 2002).

Larvae are sensitive to a combination of low pH and aluminum.

In the Pacific Northwest, this species appears to be particularly sensitive to UV-B exposure (Belden et al. 2000). Possible effects of exposure to UV-B include increased mortality and incidence of deformities, slowed growth, and skin darkening (Belden and Blaustein 2002).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Found in a wide variety of habitats, from semiarid sagebrush deserts to sub-alpine meadows, including dry woodlands, humid forests, and rocky shores of mountain lakes. Adults are subterranean except during the breeding season. A terrestrial habitat use survey near Hinton, Alberta determined that individuals were found primarily in well-drained areas with thick litter on the forest floor and close to relatively permanent water bodies (Graham 1997). Salamanders were also found in seral stages ranging from three-year-old clear-cuts to 180-year-old forests and occurred in active logging areas (Graham 1997). Breeds in temporary or permanent ponds, or in quiet water at the edge of lakes and streams. During the breeding season adults may be found under logs, rocks, and other debris near water. Eggs are attached to vegetation or loose on bottom.

Ecology

Predators of larvae probably include aquatic insects and garter snakes; garter snakes and bullfrogs eat adults (Nussbaum et al. 1983).

Reproduction

Breeding season is longer and earlier (fall-early spring) in coastal lowlands, shorter and later (summer) in interior mtns. Clutch size is larger at lower elevations (Howard and Wallace 1985). Larvae metamorphose in first summer or overwinter (high elevations). In Alberta, sexually mature in 2+ years; maximum life span 10 years, usually 6 years or less (Russell et al. 1996).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodForest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralGrassland/herbaceous
Palustrine Habitats
TEMPORARY POOLRiparian
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
WashingtonS5Yes
MontanaS5Yes
CaliforniaSNRYes
OregonS5Yes
AlaskaS3Yes
IdahoS4Yes
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
AlbertaS3Yes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases——High (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases——High (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (154)
Alaska (5)
AreaForestAcres
Behm IslandsTongass National Forest4,777
ClevelandTongass National Forest189,447
GravinaTongass National Forest37,381
North RevillaTongass National Forest215,430
Taku-SnettishamTongass National Forest664,928
California (41)
AreaForestAcres
Bucks LakePlumas National Forest680
Burnt Lava FlowModoc National Forest8,387
Butt Mtn.Lassen National Forest8,217
Caples CreekEldorado National Forest17,854
Carson - IcebergStanislaus National Forest56,430
Castle PeakTahoe National Forest14,974
Chips CreekLassen National Forest29,089
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
CypressLassen National Forest3,380
DardanellesEldorado National Forest8,110
East YubaTahoe National Forest17,968
EbbettsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest255
Fawn LakeEldorado National Forest1,153
Granite ChiefTahoe National Forest6,546
Grizzly PeakPlumas National Forest6,222
Grouse LakesTahoe National Forest19,085
Heart LakeLassen National Forest9,349
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
Little French CShasta-Trinity National Forest11,529
MayfieldLassen National Forest14,444
Middle ForkPlumas National Forest29,278
Mokelumne - CharityHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest202
Mt. HarknessLassen National Forest197
Mt. HoffmanModoc National Forest9,780
Mt. RebaStanislaus National Forest3,869
Mt. VidaModoc National Forest7,771
North Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest38,495
Poison HoleEldorado National Forest2,627
ProspectLassen National Forest4,078
PyramidEldorado National Forest24,347
Raymond PeakEldorado National Forest2,518
Raymond PeakStanislaus National Forest3,646
RussianKlamath National Forest21,771
Snow MountainLassen National Forest2,165
Timbered CraterLassen National Forest4,096
Tragedy - Elephants BackEldorado National Forest20,866
Trail LakeLassen National Forest1,124
Weaver BallyShasta-Trinity National Forest829
West YubaTahoe National Forest16,059
West YubaPlumas National Forest6,071
Wild Cattle MtnLassen National Forest4,965
Idaho (9)
AreaForestAcres
Bighorn - WeitasNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest254,845
HoodooNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest153,868
Lemhi RangeSalmon-Challis National Forest308,533
NeedlesPayette National Forest131,279
North Lochsa SlopeNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest117,662
Peace RockBoise National Forest191,734
Pioneer MountainsSawtooth National Forest119,563
Pioneer MountainsSalmon-Challis National Forest172,460
SeceshPayette National Forest248,088
Montana (39)
AreaForestAcres
Allan Mountain (01946)Bitterroot National Forest104,184
Anderson MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest31,501
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanHelena National Forest51,360
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
Cherry PeakLolo National Forest37,862
Clear CreekLolo National Forest5,538
Coal Ridge Ra 1127Flathead National Forest15,429
Cube Iron - SilcoxLolo National Forest36,998
East PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest145,082
Electric PeakHelena National Forest27,872
Evans GulchLolo National Forest8,059
Flagstaff Mountain #690Kootenai National Forest11,114
HoodooLolo National Forest105,162
Lebeau RA 1507Flathead National Forest5,450
Lolo CreekLolo National Forest14,335
Maple PeakLolo National Forest6,469
Marston Face # 172Kootenai National Forest9,098
Mcgregor - ThompsonLolo National Forest27,211
Mt. BushnellLolo National Forest41,798
North Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest52,227
North CarpBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest6,600
Ogden MountainHelena National Forest12,148
QuiggLolo National Forest67,267
Reservation DivideLolo National Forest16,908
Scotchman Peaks (MT)Kootenai National Forest53,909
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Silver KingLolo National Forest12,816
Silver KingBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest64,289
Stony MountainBitterroot National Forest44,057
Teepee - Spring CreekLolo National Forest13,902
Ten Lakes #683Kootenai National Forest48,545
Upper East ForkBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest8,905
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
West PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest248,631
Willard Estelle #173Kootenai National Forest3,714
Nevada (1)
AreaForestAcres
Jobs Peak (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,342
Oregon (36)
AreaForestAcres
Badger CreekMt. Hood National Forest847
BearwallowsDeschutes National Forest7,317
Boulder ParkWallowa-Whitman National Forest12,141
Grande RondeUmatilla National Forest12,296
Hardesty MountainWillamette National Forest3,754
HellholeUmatilla National Forest65,679
HomesteadWallowa-Whitman National Forest5,817
Hurricane CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest1,606
Joseph CanyonWallowa-Whitman National Forest24,288
Lake ForkWallowa-Whitman National Forest21,936
LarchMt. Hood National Forest12,961
Little Eagle MeadowsWallowa-Whitman National Forest6,984
Lookout MountainOchoco National Forest14,115
Maiden PeakDeschutes National Forest26,432
Maiden PeakWillamette National Forest9,627
Mcclellan MountainMalheur National Forest21,213
Mill Creek Watershed (OR)Umatilla National Forest7,820
Mt. EmilyWallowa-Whitman National Forest8,421
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
Mt. BaileyUmpqua National Forest18,401
North Mt. EmilyUmatilla National Forest4,416
North PaulinaDeschutes National Forest19,670
ReservoirWallowa-Whitman National Forest13,641
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
Smith UmpquaSiuslaw National Forest7,622
Snake RiverWallowa-Whitman National Forest31,229
South PaulinaDeschutes National Forest9,074
Tope CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest9,237
Twin MountainWallowa-Whitman National Forest58,533
Upper Grande RondeWallowa-Whitman National Forest11,723
W - T ThreeUmatilla National Forest1,705
Waldo - FujiWillamette National Forest15,273
Waldo - LakeWillamette National Forest2,993
Walla Walla RiverUmatilla National Forest34,416
West - South BachelorDeschutes National Forest25,994
Wind CreekMt. Hood National Forest5,438
Washington (23)
AreaForestAcres
Alpine Lakes Adj.Wenatchee National Forest57,104
Blue SlideWenatchee National Forest17,505
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
Eagle RockMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest34,064
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Glacier Peak BMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest19,328
Glacier Peak KMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest47,269
Glacier Peak LMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest14,084
Goat Rocks AdjWenatchee National Forest6,108
Green MountainOlympic National Forest4,617
Heather LakeWenatchee National Forest10,628
Long SwampOkanogan National Forest66,344
Meadow CreekUmatilla National Forest4,882
Mill Creek Watershed (WA)Umatilla National Forest16,747
Mt. Baker MaMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest24,847
Mt. Baker NorthMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest16,873
Mt. BonaparteOkanogan National Forest10,891
Pasayten RimOkanogan National Forest17,074
QuilceneOlympic National Forest18,656
Salmo - Priest BColville National Forest11,869
SawtoothOkanogan National Forest122,194
Slide RidgeWenatchee National Forest11,430
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
References (42)
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