A research team led by R. Alexander Pyron, an Associate Professor of Biology at George Washinton University, discovered three new black-bellied salamander species in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The newly discovered salamanders stem from black-bellied populations that were initially believed to be a single species.
Discovering New Salamander Species
AUGUST 10: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Photo taken with an iPhone 6.) A black alpine salamander (Salamandra atra) walks across moss on a hillside leading to the Falzthurntal valley on August 10, 2015, near Pertisau, Austria. The Karwendel mountain range, part of the Austrian Alps, is central Tyrol and a popular summer destination for mountain bikers, climbers, and hikers. Mountain huts operated by alpine clubs and scattered across the region offer food and shelter.
The recent discovery sheds light on "cryptic species," animals lacking obvious variation separating distinct evolutionary populations. According to the team, black-bellied salamanders were initially believed to be a single species for over a hundred years. Nonetheless, they have subtle differences between each.
Pyron says to EurekaAlert that black-bellied salamanders have been studied for over a hundred years. In 2002, cryptic dwarf species were discovered, and DNA evidence in 2005 began suggesting that there were still more. It wasn't until their research team, funded by NSD in 2020 that the team was able to sequence genome-scale data to understand that there were, in fact, five similar-looking species.
The study published in Bionomina, titled "Nomenclatural solutions for diagnosing 'cryptic' species using molecular and morphological data facilitate a taxonomic revision of the Black-bellied Salamanders (Urodela, Desmognathus 'quadramaculatus') from the southern Appalachian Mountains" researchers began to observe Desmognathus quadramaculators. This species has been poorly categorized since its discovery.
Researchers noticed that certain genetic, geographic, and morphological aspects differed among the specimens gathered, including differences in size, color, and shape. Ader genomic sequencing was done, and the team discovered five separate species, three of which are new.
The new species are D.gvinigeusgwotli, D.l mavrokoilius, and D. Kanawha.
Pyron explains that after looking t different specimens, the team saw obvious and substantial phenotypic variations between most of the lineages. In fact, the name, which was used for more than 120 years, isn't correct for any of the five species discovered. Researchers tracked the original species at museums in Paris and Philadelphia and found that they belonged to separate species. This raises the question of how 'cryptic species' ultimately are.
Researchers note that future studies should offer substantial additional insights into the evolutionary history, ecological interactions, geographic distribution, and other aspects of the newly discovered black-bellied salamander species.
What are Black-Bellied Salamanders?
According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, black-bellied Salamanders are found in cool, permanent streams in the Appalachian Ridge and Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Color pattern variations have been long noted between the northern and southern species, but no subspecies have been recognized until the study.
The species is described as large, robust salamanders growing up to eight inches in length with mottled dark brown to the black dorsum and lighter rusty brown blotches.
They typically feen on small invertebrates, crayfish, and occasionally other salamanders. The most significant lungless salamander mating season occurs in late summer and fall, which results in eggs laid in spring and summer. On average, a female salamander can lay up to 45 eggs deposited under rocks in flowing streams hatching typically in July through September.
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