Desmognathus valtos

In comparison with the re-description of Desmognathus auriculatus by Means et al. (2017), D. valtos is a moderately-sized dusky salamander, typically with a dark greenish-grey ground color and orangish wash on the dorsal surfaces. Smaller individuals often have visible remnants of orangish or reddish paired larval spots on the dorsum; differentiation between dorsal and lateral color pattern is typically absent in D. auriculatus, and larval patterning is usually obscured by darkening in even the smallest specimens. Differs significantly in overall size and shape from D. auriculatus, the greatest difference being proportionally longer torsos (longer AG). Tail is thick, girthy, and long, up to 106% SVL, typically less keeled than D. auriculatus, but still flattened at the terminus. Dorsal surface of tail typically exhibits a yellowish or orangish stripe with indistinct margins even in larger individuals; such stripes are usually less colorful and prominent in D. auriculatus, particularly older specimens. Ventrolateral porthole markings with whitish, yellowish, orangish, or reddish pigment may occur in up to three rows, but these are generally less prominent than in D. auriculatus. Ventral color pattern is typically relatively bright and granular, consisting of interspersed flecking of darkened melanophores, lighter xanthophores, and whitish speckling, while in D. auriculatus, “the belly is unmistakably black but may be densely peppered with small whitish or silvery speckling” (Means et al. 2017, Pyron and Beamer 2022).

This species is found in low-relief, low-elevation swampy areas with muddy or mucky substrates and is particularly abundant in stick piles and debris dams formed by water currents on the margins of swampy areas (Pyron and Beamer 2022).

Little has been documented for this species (Pyron and Beamer 2022). Reproduction is likely very similar to Desmognathus auriculatus with courtship occurring in spring and summer, egg-laying and brooding in September and October, hatching in fall, and a larval period lasting less than one year (Means et al. 2017). Females of this species have been documented brooding 14-20 eggs in September in cavities within well-rotted cypress logs and stumps (Robertson and Tyson 1950).