Ouachita Streambed Salamander

Eurycea subfluvicola

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The Oucahita streambed salamander has a total length that ranges from 35-48mm. It is yellowish-brown in color this species compared to other salamanders has sunken eyes o…

Ouachita Streambed Salamander illustration

How to identify

The Oucahita streambed salamander has a total length that ranges from 35-48mm. It is yellowish-brown in color this species compared to other salamanders has sunken eyes on a compressed head. The dorsum of the species is yellow in color and pigmented with brown melanophores that form irregular blotches on the dorsal and lateral surfaces. Its body is more elongate with the dorsum lacking two lateral stripes. Eurycea subfluvicola has fewer iridophores in its irises and a reduction in the color makes its eyes principally black.

Range

This species is found in the Slunger creek valley in Lake Catherine State Park, Arkansas.

Habitat

This species dwells in pine-hardwood forests which includes mountains and valley, streams. Small arthropods, spiders, and make up its diet. Fertilization is internal with the males depositing a spermatophore which the females pick with their cloaca. Eggs are laid under rocks and the females protect the eggs until they hatch.

Similar species

The Georgetown salamander or Eurycea naufragia is dark brown in color, has a roughly shovel-shaped head that is broad and relatively short and three prominent external gills. It possesses black melanophores which are concentrated around its eyes that form a black circle and a black line running from the corner of the eye to the nasal opening. The Northern two-lined salamander or Eurycea bislineata is yellowish-brown in color and has two black stripes which run down the back and tends to break up after the base of the tail. The belly pale yellow and the flanks are mottled grayish or brown. The dwarf salamander or Eurycea quadridigitata is yellow brown with dark brown blotching and stripes down each side. The distinguishing feature of this species is each of its feet has four toes.