 Range in California: Red
Range Map of Southern Sierra
Nevada Slender Salamanders
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Adult, 6,000 ft., Inyo County
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Adult, Inyo County |
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Desert Riparian Habitat, Inyo Mountains, Inyo County |
Desert Riparian Habitat, Inyo Mountains, Inyo County |
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Desert Riparian Habitat,
Inyo Mountains, Inyo County
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Desert Riparian Habitat close-up,
Inyo Mountains, Inyo County |
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Description |
| Size |
| Adults are 1-1/3 to 2-2/5 inches long (3.2-6.1 mm) from snout to vent. |
| Appearance |
| The stockiest slender salamander. A dark brown, reddish, silvery, or black salamander, with a broad head, rounded snout, and large eyes. Iridophores speckle the head and anterior body, or form a continuous pattern covering the entire dorsal surface resulting in an overall silvery-green color. 16 - 18 costal grooves. |
| Behavior |
| Nocturnal. Can be extremely difficult to locate on the surface. Seasonal activity period is March/April - November. |
| Diet |
| Probably consumes a variety of small invertebrates. |
| Reproduction |
| Only juvenile and adults of this species have ever been observed. It is assumed that B.campi undergoes direct developement as do the other members of the genus, with females laying eggs on moist places on land and young hatching fully formed. Communal nesting probably takes place within this species. |
| Range |
| Endemic to California. This ancient species of Batrachoseps is confined to about 15 canyons and springs along a 40 km section of the Inyo Mountains, Inyo County, California.
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| Habitat |
| Inhabits very dry mountain ranges( Death Valley lies just to the south-east ) typiclly in the immediate vicinity of springs, seeps, and their associated riparian growth. Although they have been found on both slopes of the Inyo Mountains, they are more widely distributed on the east side. Pitfall traps have revealed the presence of salamanders far from surface water, which means that B.campi may be more widely distributed that is currently recognized. The type locality is also the most southernly: Long John Canyon, 5560 ft. elevation. Elevational range extends from 1,800 - 8,600 ft. (550 - 2620 m). |
| Taxonomic Notes |
B.campi belongs to the group of robust slender salamanders. No subspecies are recognized, and very little genetic variation is exhibited throughout it's range. The taxonomic status of this species has not ever been questioned since it was first described in 1979. B.campi's closest known relative is the Kern Plateau slender salamander (B.robustus).
Tim Burkhardt, Samantha Winegarner |
| Conservation Issues (Conservation Status) |
| This species is currently protected under California law, probably due to its limited and fragile desert riparian habitat. |
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Taxonomy |
| Family |
Plethodontidae |
Lungless Salamanders |
| Genus |
Batrachoseps |
Slender Salamanders |
Species
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campi |
Inyo Mountains Slender Salamander |
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Original Description |
Marlow, R. W., J. M. Brode, and D. B. Wake. "A new salamander, genus Batrachoseps, from the Inyo Mountains of California, with a discussion of relationships in the genus." Contributions in Science, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County #308 1979
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Meaning of the Scientific Name |
Batrachoseps: Greek - amphibian, frog lizard - describes lizard-like appearance.
campi: honors Camp, Charles L.
from Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America - Explained © Ellin Beltz
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Alternate Names |
Inyo Mountains Salamander
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Similar Neighboring Salamanders |
Kern Plateau Slender Salamander
Tehachapi Slender Salamander
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More Information and References |
Natureserve Explorer
California Dept. of Fish and Game
AmphibiaWeb
Stebbins, Robert C. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.
Behler, John L., & F. Wayne King. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, 1992.
Bishop, Sherman C. Handbook of Salamanders. Cornell University Press, 1943.
Petranka, James W. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution, 1998.
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The following status listings come from the Special Animals List which is published several times each year by the California Department of Fish and Game.
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Organization
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Status Listing
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| U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) |
None |
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| California Endangered Species Act (CESA) |
None |
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| California Department of Fish and Game |
DFG:SSC |
California Species of Special Concern |
| Bureau of Land Management |
BLM:S |
Sensitive |
| USDA Forest Service |
USFS:S |
Sensitive |
| Natureserve Global Conservation Status Ranks |
G2 |
Imperiled |
World Conservation Union - IUCN Red List
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IUCN:EN |
Endangered |
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