Persian mountain salamander
The Persian brook salamander or Persian mountain salamander (Paradactylodon persicus ) is an endemic amphibian species of salamander in the family Hynobiidae found in Iran and possibly Azerbaijan.
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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starts withAdults have 4 fingers and toes, are darkly colored with scattered yellow spots and have rectangular heads and rounded tails oftentimes longer than the rest of their body. Larvae have large rounded triangular heads with short fin-like tails roughly shorter than the rest of their body and are generally light yellow without any distinct spots. The juveniles complexion darkens and develops mottled yellow spots while their head become more rectangular, and their tails become longer and more rounded. Larvae and juveniles sizes are roughly the same ranging from 4-10 cm while the larger adults commonly range from 15-20 cm. The total length of the longest specimen was 26.85cm. Larvae have external gills that suit their solely aquatic habitats while adults replace these with lungs as they mature.
This species occurs in the protected Hyrcanian forest region and has been most recently assessed by The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2008 when it was conclusively listed as near threatened due to habitat loss. The specific threats that fall under habitat loss for this species are urban sprawl around the coast and foothills of the Caspian Sea, agriculture (specifically rice cultivation in this area), logging (siltation in streams that the larvae rely upon), and surface water & groundwater pollution (because this species is so reliant upon aquatic habitats this threat is especially influential). It is also speculated that this species could be threatened by drought periods and collection for the pet trade. Because of increases in threats and a deteriorating climate this species is near qualifying as vulnerable.
Overall little is known about thus reclusive and rare species of salamander. More field surveys are necessary to fathom the reality of this species natural range. Research on what the ecological requirements are for both the larvae and adults of this species is needed to facilitate conservation efforts.
