Aneides lugubris
Genus Batrachoseps
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| Salamanders of this
family are known as lungless salamanders because they lack these organs at
any time in their lives. Despite this apparent liability, plethodontids
tend to be small, elongate, cylindrical salamanders that maintain a high
surface area to volume ration of skin (respiratory surface) to body. As a
consequence, they represent the largest family of salamanders and include
some 60% of all named salamander species.
"Plethodon" means
"many-toothed," referring to the many tiny teeth in the jaws of
this family's members.
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| Genera:
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Aneides
Batrachoseps
Ensatina
Hydromantes
Plethodon |
| Literature:
Hofricher,
Robert (editor). 2000. Amphibians: the world of frogs, toads,
salamanders and newts. Firefly Books. ISBN: 1-55209-541-X.
Ruben, John and Arthur Boucot. 1989. The
origin of lungless salamanders (Amphibia: Plethodontidae). The American
Naturalist 134(2): 161-169.
Zug,
George. 1993. Herpetology, an introductory biology of amphibians
and reptiles. Academic Press, San Diego. ISBN: 0-12-782620-3. |
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