Black-spotted Newt
Notophthalmus meridionalis
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- N. meridionalis – Cameron Co, TX – photo from iNaturalist, Drew R. Davis
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Notophthalmus meridionalis occurs along the Gulf Coast of southern Texas.
LEGAL STATUS: Notophthalmus meridionalis is listed by the State of Texas as a Threatened Species.
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Notophthalmus meridionalis (Cope, 1880)
Genus: Notophthalmus, Greek – noto = mark + ophtalmus = eye — ref. eye spots on sides and back
Species: meridionalis, Latin = southern — ref. southerly distribution of this species
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962