Spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 3

• Previous page
• Table of contents
• Next page

Introduction

The spring salamander, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, is in the family Plethodontidae, the lungless salamanders. It is thought that these salamanders evolved in association with stream habitats in eastern North America (Wake 1966; Frost 1985; Beachy and Bruce 1992). Members of this family are diversified, with over 225 species distributed throughout North and South America and in a restricted area of southern Europe (Frost 1985). The genus Gyrinophilus is considered primitive due to its lengthy aquatic larval period (Beachy and Bruce 1992). The genus contains two species: G. palleucus and G. porphyriticus (Brandon 1966, 1967a, 1967b, and 1967c) while a third form (G. subterraneus) previously considered as a distinct species (Beshare and Holsinger, 1977) is now included within G. porphyriticus (Frost 1985). Gyrinophilus porphyriticus itself is diverse, with five recognized subspecies: G. p. porphyriticus, G. p. duryi, G. p. dunni, G. p. danielsi, and G. p. subterraneus. Only the first subspecies is found in Canada.

The current common name of the species is “Spring salamander”, while the subspecies present in Canada is called “Northern spring salamander” (Collins 1990). In French, the species is called “salamandre pourpre” (Cook 1984; Bider and Matte 1994). Brandon (1967c) lists the various names used in the past: Salamandra porphyritica, Green 1827; Salamandra salmonea, Storer 1838; Pseudotriton salmoneus, Baird 1850; Spelerpes salmonea, Gray 1850; Spelerpes porphyritica, Gray 1850; Ambystoma salmoneum, Duméril 1854; Spelerpes salmoneus, Cope 1866; Geotriton porphyritica, Garman 1884; Pseudotriton porphyriticus, Organ 1961. At one time, Bishop (1947) used the name Purple Salamander.

The spring salamander (Fig. 1) is among the largest of plethodontids, reaching up to 20 cm total length. The species is recognized among Canadian salamanders by its reddish color and a light line from the eye to the nostril. Its coloration varies geographically and darkens with age. Nevertheless, a pinkish color is always present between dark markings on the back. The belly of the adult is cream-colored as is the whole body of the larva. Individuals are most colorful (salmon to reddish) at the time of metamorphosis (Brandon 1967c).

Surveys by Canadian herpetologists have produced a fairly good knowledge of this species' distribution in southern Quebec (Bleakney 1958; Weller 1977; Gordon 1979; Shaffer and Bachand 1990; Bonin 1991a; Bider and Matte 1994). However, little attention has been paid to the study of its life history in Canada (Bonin 1991a).