California Tiger Salamander
Ambystoma californiense
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- A. californiense – Solano Co, CA – photo by Gary Nafis
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- Map by Steve Bledsoe, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Ambystoma californiense occurs only in Central California in isolated populations.
LEGAL STATUS: Ambystoma californiense is listed under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) as a Threatened Species throughout its entire range. Three separate isolated populations are listed individually under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) as Threatened in Central California and Endangered in both Santa Barbara and Sonoma Counties.
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ambystoma californiense (Gray, 1853)
Genus: Ambystoma, Greek – amby = round, like the rounded top of a cup + stoma = mouth — poss. ref. large rounded mouth
Species: californiense, belonging to the state of California — ref. state of occurrence
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962