Range in California: Red
Range Map of South Coast
Slender Salamanders
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Adult, Monterey County |
Adult, Monterey County |
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Adult, Monterey County |
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Adult, Monterey County |
Adult, Monterey County |
Adult, Monterey County |
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Batrachoseps gavilanensis occurs very close to B. luciae and the ranges of both salamanders meet in one region. They are identical in appearance. At one time they were considered to be the same species, B. pacificus.
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Habitat, Monterey County |
Coastal Redwood Forest Habitat,
Monterey County
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Habitat, Monterey County |
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Description |
| Size |
| Adults are 1 1/4 - 1 4/5 inches long (3.2 - 4.6 cm) from snout to vent. |
| Appearance |
| A moderately small-sized plethodontid salamander, which breathes through smooth moist thin skin. 18-19 costal grooves. Short limbs, a narrow head, long slender body, very long tail, and conspicuous costal and caudal grooves give this species the worm-like appearance typical of most Slender Salamanders. 4 toes on front and hind feet, also typical of Slender Salamanders. (Other California salamanders have 5 toes on the hind feet.) Dark blackish-brown ground color with a brass or reddish dorsal stripe that is less apparent in older animals. The venter is lighter, grayish brown. There is some whitish speckling and metallic iridophores. |
| Behavior |
| Active on rainy or wet nights when temperatures are moderate, fall through spring. Retreats underground when the soil dries or when the air temperature drops to near freezing. Found under rocks, logs, bark, and other debris. Batrachoseps species, when disturbed, may coil up and remain still, then uncoil quickly and spring away, repeatedly bouncing over the ground. The tail is easily broken off, but it can be regenerated. Probably a sit-and-wait predator. |
| Diet |
| Most likely eats small invertebrates. |
| Reproduction |
| Batrachoseps females lay eggs in moist places on land, underground or under surface objects. Young hatch fully formed. |
| Range |
| Endemic to California. Found along the western slope of the Santa Lucia Mountains in Monterey county to near the San Luis Obispo county line. |
| Habitat |
| Inhabits moist locations in redwood and mixed evergreen forests. |
| Taxonomic Notes |
Prior to its description in 2001, B. luciae was recognized as B. pacificus which has been split into ten species due to
molecular studies. |
| Conservation Issues (Conservation Status) |
| Listed as imperiled by NatureServe for no obvious reason. |
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Taxonomy |
| Family |
Plethodontidae |
Lungless Salamanders |
| Genus |
Batrachoseps |
Slender Salamanders |
Species
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luciae |
Santa Lucia Mountains Slender Salamander |
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Original Description |
Elizabeth L. Jockusch, Kay P. Yanev, and David B. Wake ''Molecular phylogenetic analysis
of slender salamanders, genus Batrachoseps (Amphibia: Plethodontidae), from central coastal
California with descriptions of four new species.'' Herpetological Monographs, #15 2001.
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Meaning of the Scientific Name |
Batrachoseps: Greek - amphibian, frog lizard - describes lizard-like appearance.
luciae: derived from the Santa Lucia Mountains, the center of the distribution of this species.
from Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America - Explained © Ellin Beltz
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Alternate Names |
Santa Lucia Slender Salamander
Formerly recognized as Batrachoseps pacificus - Pacific Slender Salamander, which has been split into several species.
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Similar Neighboring Salamanders |
Batrachoseps gavilanensis
Batrachoseps incognitus
Batrachoseps nigriventris
Batrachoseps minor
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More Information and References |
Natureserve Explorer
California Dept. of Fish and Game
AmphibiaWeb
Elizabeth L. Jockusch, Kay P. Yanev, and David B. Wake ''Molecular phylogenetic analysis of slender salamanders, genus Batrachoseps (Amphibia: Plethodontidae), from central coastal California with descriptions of four new species.'' Herpetological Monographs, #15 2001.
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.
Lannoo, Michael (Editor). Amphibian Declines: The Conservation Status of United States Species. University of California Press, June 2005.
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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 |
None |
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| Bureau of Land Management |
None |
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| USDA Forest Service |
None |
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| Natureserve Global Conservation Status Ranks |
G2G3 |
Imperiled |
World Conservation Union - IUCN Red List
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IUCN: LC |
Least Concern |
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