Project
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Keys to Nature Project |
| Key to Calumet Region Salamanders and Newts |
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Title: Key to Calumet Region Salamanders and Newts |
| Version: 219 |
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| Author(s): Alan Resetar, Collection Manager, Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, Illinois 60605-2496 USA, 1-312-665-7768 |
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| Email: aresetar@fieldmuseum.org |
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| Description: Lay people, citizen scientists and natural resource professionals can use this key to identify Calumet Region salamanders and newts. The only Chicago Region salamanders not in the key are the southern two-lined salamander (Eurycea cirrigera), small-mouthed salamander (Ambystoma texanum) and western lesser siren (Siren intermedia nettingi). A one page field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of southeastern Chicago and northwestern Indiana can be found at http://fm2.fmnh.org/plantguides/guide_pdfs/CW3_Amphs_Reps_v1.pdf. Thanks to Bil Alverson and Jennie Kluse for all of their advice and assistance. |
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| Key Structure: Key to Calumet Region Salamanders and Newts 1a. Red, branching, external gills on sides of neck retained throughout life; four toes on hind feet; only found in aquatic habitats . . . Mudpuppy (Necturus m. maculosus) 1b. Branching, external gills on sides of neck not retained throughout life; either four or five toes on hind feet . . . 2 2a. Nasolabial groove (cleft extending from nostril down lip to mouth opening) present . . . 3 2b. Nasolabial groove (cleft extending from nostril down lip to mouth opening) absent . . . 4 3a. Four toes on hind feet; pure white belly with distinct black spots; constriction at base of tail . . . Four- toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) 3b. Five toes on hind feet; belly covered with equal amounts of black and white mottling giving a "salt and pepper" effect; two color phases with either red or dark gray stripe on back; no constriction at base of tail . . . Redback salamander (Plethodon cinereus) 4a. Costal grooves on sides of body between insertion of limbs distinct; smooth skin . . . 5 4b. Costal grooves on sides of body indistinct; rough skin . . . Central newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) 5a. Back marked with white or gray crossbands which may be shaped like hourglasses . . . Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) 5b. Light colored crossbands on back absent . . . 6 6a. Yellow to olive markings on dark colored back although pattern is sometimes reversed with dark markings on light colored back . . . 7 6b. Bluish flecks on dark blue back . . . Blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale) or hybrid mole salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum complex) 7a. Two parallel rows of yellowish spots running down back . . . Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) 7b. Randomly distributed yellowish spots varying in size, shape, frequency and intensity on back and sides although pattern is sometimes reversed with dark markings on light colored back . . . Eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) Glossary Costal grooves: folds in the skin on the side of the body between the fore and hind limbs that are perpendicular to the dorsum. Dorsal: the back. Dorsum: the back. Nasolabial groove: groove extending from the nostril straight down to the opening of the mouth. Venter: lower surface of the body (i.e. the belly). |
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