Southern Dusky Salamander
Desmognathus auriculatus
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- D. auriculatus – Newton Co, TX – photo by Matt Hollanders
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- D. auriculatus – Newton Co, TX – photo by Matt Hollanders
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- D. auriculatus – Newton Co, TX – photo by Matt Hollanders
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- Map by Steve Bledsoe, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Desmognathus auriculatus occurs only in the central and south parts of East Texas. Over the years, the Southern Dusky Salamander has been vouchered from the majority of counties in east Texas, although they’ve declined severely and were thought to be extirpated from the State of Texas until they were rediscovered several years ago.
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Desmognathus auriculatus (Holbrook, 1838)
Genus: Batrachoseps, Greek – desmos = ligament + gnathos = jaw — ref. bundle of ligaments holding jaw
Species: auriculatus: Latin = having an external ear — ref. oblong brownish spot on the side of its head
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962
LEGAL STATUS: No Listings