Samwel Shasta salamander
| Samwel Shasta salamander | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Plethodontidae |
| Subfamily: | Plethodontinae |
| Genus: | Hydromantes |
| Species: | H. samweli
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hydromantes samweli Bingham, Papenfuss, Lindstrand, and Wake, 2018
| |
The Samwel Shasta salamander (Hydromantes samweli) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to Shasta County in California.[2][3]
Taxonomy[edit]
It was previously thought to be a population of the Shasta salamander (H. shastae) and is not physically distinguishable, but a 2018 phylogenetic study found it to be a genetically distinct species. It is named after its type locality, Samwel Cave, which originates from Sa-Wal, the Wintu name for grizzly bear.[4]
Distribution[edit]
It is found in a fairly small area around the north-central and northwest sides of Shasta Lake, but possibly extending 20 km further to the west.[2][5]
Threats[edit]
Its distribution was likely fragmented by the creation of the lake and the construction of the Shasta Dam. Proposals to raise the water levels would likely flood more habitats and further threaten it. However, in 2021 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found the species to not warrant Endangered Species Act protections.[6][7]
References[edit]
- ^ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2022). "Hydromantes samweli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T181498477A181932409. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Hydromantes samweli Bingham, Papenfuss, Lindstrand, and Wake, 2018 | Amphibian Species of the World". amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
- ^ "AmphibiaWeb - Hydromantes samweli". amphibiaweb.org. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
- ^ Bingham, Robert E.; Papenfuss, Theodore J.; Lindstrand, Len; Wake, David B. (April 4, 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. 161 (10): 403–427. doi:10.3099/MCZ42.1. ISSN 0027-4100.
- ^ "Samwel Shasta Salamander - Hydromantes samweli". www.californiaherps.com. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
- ^ "Study: California's Shasta Salamanders More Endangered Than Once Thought". www.biologicaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
- ^ on 05.12.2021, David Miller. "Service Finds Salamanders Do Not Warrant Endangered Species Act Protection". www.endangeredspecieslawandpolicy.com. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
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