Hydromantes samweli
Bingham, Papenfuss, Lindstrand, and Wake, 2018
Samwel Shasta Salamander
GNRUnrankedGlobal Rank
Near threatenedIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1202571
Element CodeAAAAD09060
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNNear threatened
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAmphibia
OrderCaudata
FamilyPlethodontidae
GenusHydromantes
Concept ReferenceBingham, R. E., T. J. Papenfuss, L. Lindstrand, III, and D. B. Wake. 2018. Phylogeography and species boundaries in the Hydromantes shastae complex, with description of two new species (Amphibia; Caudata; Plethodontidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. Cambridge, Massachusetts 161:403-427.
Taxonomic CommentsThe Shasta salamander was split into three separate species (Hydromantes shastae, H. wintu, and H. samweli) by Bingham et al. (2018).
Conservation Status
Range Extent<100 square km (less than about 40 square miles)
Range Extent CommentsThis species is known only on the north-central and northwest sides of Shasta Lake, possibly extending another 20 km to the west, Shasta County, California, USA.
Threat Impact CommentsConstruction of Shasta Dam, road building, and mining negatively impacted Hydromantes shastae (sensu lato) in the past (Wake and Papenfuss 2005). Road construction, quarrying for limestone, and raising the elevation of Lake Shasta are potential threats (California Department of Fish and Game 1990). Impoundment of Lake Shasta destroyed some habitat; a rise in water level could wipe out some extant populations. Most of the range is on national forest lands that have little timber value (Wake and Papenfuss 2005). Some populations are small and isolated and so are vulnerable to destruction by relatively small amounts of habitat disturbance (Wake and Papenfuss 2005).
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Found around cliff faces, vertical cavern walls and level ground in mixed forests of Douglas fir, pines, and oaks. Lives in moist caves and rock cracks. Mostly associated with limestone outcrops, but one population has been found in a volcanic outcrop, and others in forest areas with no rock outcrops (Nafis 2021). Terrestrial breeder.
Reproduction
There is no aquatic larval stage.
Other Nations (1)
United StatesNNR
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| California | SNR | Yes |
References (4)
- Bingham, R. E., T. J. Papenfuss, L. Lindstrand, III, and D. B. Wake. 2018. Phylogeography and species boundaries in the <i>Hydromantes shastae</i> complex, with description of two new species (Amphibia; Caudata; Plethodontidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. Cambridge, Massachusetts 161:403-427.
- Frost, D.R. 2020. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. Online: http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html
- Nafis, G. 2021. California Herps - A guide to the amphibians and reptiles of California. Available at: http://www.californiaherps.com/ (accessed 13 April 2021).
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2021. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Three Salamander Species Not Warranted for Listing as Endangered or Threatened Species. Federal Register 86(85):23869-23872.