Talladega seal salamander | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Urodela |
Family: | Plethodontidae |
Subfamily: | Plethodontinae |
Genus: | Desmognathus |
Species: | D. cheaha
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Binomial name | |
Desmognathus cheaha Pyron and Beamer, 2023
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The Talladega seal salamander (Desmognathus cheaha) is a mid-sized stream-dwelling plethodontid salamander native to the Southeastern United States. This species was split from the common seal salamander (Desmognathus monticola) in 2022. [1]
The Talladega seal salamander can be found in the U.S. States of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. This species occurs in the Ridge & Valley, Piedmont, and Coastal/Southeastern Plains physiographic provinces, in contrast with Desmognathus monticola, which predominantly occurs in the Appalachian highlands. [1] The only known population in Florida is believed to have undergone a dramatic population decline, and may be extirpated, after nearby logging activities impacted stream habitat. [2]
The Talladega seal salamander occurs in streams throughout its range. Populations in the Coastal Plain appear to be restricted to high-gradient streams and microhabitats in contact with rock and flowing water. [3] [1]