Amphibia (salamanders & frogs)

Amphibians usually lay their eggs in water, but a few salamanders, like

the Western slimy (below) may lay their eggs in clusters in small,

moist cavities.

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004.jpg: Western slimy salamander, Plethodon albagula or glutinosus, TX: There may be more than one species of "slimy salamander" in Missouri. Most are black with silver or white flecks on the side. The chin and belly are dark gray and they feel slimy when touched. Length 122 to 172 mm. By David C. Ashley.
004.JPG		 005.JPG: Young Eurycea salamander larva, TP: This 20-mm larva in Mushroom Cave, Meramec State Park, is difficult to distinguish from Grotto salamander larvae of the same age. The Grotto salamander has 16-19 costal grooves while Eurycea larvae have 13-15. The snout is more rounded and blunt than in the Grotto salamander. By David C. Ashley.
005.JPG		 006.jpg: Cave salamander, Eurycea lucifuga Rafinesque, TP: They prefer stream caves, primarily in the twilight zone, but they are also found in damp situations outside caves. Length 100-177 mm.
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007a.jpg: Cave salamander: This melanistic (dark-pigmented) individual illustrates the variable coloration in this species. A few populations have longer tails. By Eugene Vale.
007a.jpg		 007b.jpg: Cave salamander: This individual has depigmented feet.
007b.jpg		 008.jpg: Long-tailed salamander, Eurycea longicauda longicauda (Green), TP: Limited to southeastern Missouri and farther east, this yellowish form usually has vertical bars on the sides and tail (more distinct on the tail). Individuals in the transition zone from St. Louis to Shannon and Oregon counties have various patterns. Length 102-159 mm. By Tom Johnson.
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009a.jpg: Dark-sided salamander, Eurycea longicauda melanopleura (Cope), TP: Probably the most common salamander in Missouri caves, this subspecies of the Long-tailed salamander is yellowish-green to yellowish-brown with dark pigment along the sides. It is bit more aquatic than the Cave salamander, and it feeds more on aquatic invertebrates. Found mostly west of the transition zone. Length 102 to 159 mm.
009a.jpg		 009b.jpg: Long-tailed salamander, Eurycea longicauda subspecies, TP: This individual from the transition zone in Shannon County, Missouri, has not been identified to subspecies; it has light sides but no bars. Length 102-159 mm.
009b.jpg		 010.jpg: Grotto salamander, Typhlotriton spelaeus Stejneger, SB: Young aquatic larva 25-50 mm long. Note the gills, dark eyes, and pigment. Very difficult to distinguish from larvae of Eurycea salamanders, but the snout is slightly more square and flatter.
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011.jpg: Grotto salamander, older larva, 50-120 mm long. As the animal matures its eyes and pigment regress. Some larvae are larger than adults, up to 90-120 mm long. Note the external gills along each side of the head. See adult on cover.
011.jpg		 012.jpg: Grotto salamander, older larva, 50-120 mm long. As the animal matures its eyes and pigment regress. Some larvae are larger than adults, up to 90-120 mm long. Note the external gills along each side of the head.
012.jpg		 013.jpg: Ozark salamander, Plethodon angusticlavius Grobman, TP: Slender species with a narrow, somewhat lobed mid-dorsal stripe, widest between the hind legs, with irregular or wavy edges ranging from yellow to orange or red. Some lack a dorsal stripe. Sides dark gray to brownish gray; belly has white and black mottling. Length 60-98 mm. Sometimes called the "Ozark Zigzag salamander." Southwestern Missouri; may be common in caves. By Tom Johnson.
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014.jpg: Southern Red-backed salamander, Plethodon serratus Grobman, TP: Can be confused with the Ozark salamander, but there is a distinct, narrow, red or orange mid-dorsal stripe with saw-toothed edges that corresponds with the costal grooves. Sides are brownish gray with some red pigment, belly has gray mottling. The two species ranges do not overlap. Central and eastern Missouri; common in caves. Length 81-105 mm. By Tom Johnson.
014.jpg		 015.jpg: Pickerel frog, Rana palustris LeConte, TX: The only Missouri frog to use caves regularly and in large numbers. Uses wet caves as refuges from both hot and cold weather; eats a variety of arthropods, but probably does not prey much within caves. Often emaciated by springtime. Length 44-80 mm. Distinguished from other Rana species by 1) parallel rows of squarish or rectangular spots on the back, 2) distinct cream, yellow, or golden dorsolateral fold, and 3) bright yellow color on the underside of hind legs and groin area.
015.jpg		 016.jpg: Green frog, Rana clamitans Latreille, TX: Often a bronze color within caves due to lack of sunlight, 57-89 mm. Less common in caves than Pickerel frogs. Distinguished from other Rana species by dorsolateral fold that extends only to midbody.
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017.jpg: Northern Spring peeper, Pseudacris crucifer crucifer (Wied), TX: Reported from seven caves in Missouri, but probably more common, this small, slender frog has a dark X-shaped mark on the back, which may be faint; color varies from pink to gray; length 19-32 mm. By Tom Johnson.
017.jpg		 018.jpg: Dwarf American toad, Bufo americanus charlesmithi Bragg, TX: Generally smaller than the American toad, this subspecies occurs in southern Missouri. About 50 m with kidney-shaped parotid glands behind the eyes and distinct bumps (warts) on the back. Twilight zone.
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