The northern ravine salamander (Plethodon electromorphus) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. The species is endemic to the United States.
Geographic range The northern ravine salamander has been found in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Habitat The natural habitats of P. electromorphus are temperate forests and rocky areas.
Conservation status The species P. electromorphus is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Description The northern ravine salamander is a small terrestrial salamander, 7.5–11.5 cm (3.0–4.5 in) in total length. It is elongated, slender, and short-legged. Its coloration is brown to nearly black, sprinkled with minute silvery white and bronzy or brassy specks. It has very small, irregular white blotches on the lower sides, and a virtually plain dark belly with a lightly mottled chin.
Taxonomy The northern ravine salamander was previously considered to be a part of Plethodon richmondi (southern ravine salamander). Electrophoresis, from which the specific name electromorphus is derived, was used to distinguish them.Highton R (1999). "Hybridization in the Contact Zone between Plethodon richmondi and Plethodon electromorphus in Northern Kentucky". Herpetologica 55 (1): 91-105.
Behavior The northern ravine salamander is less aggressive than the more widespread red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus).Deitloff, Jennifer; Church, James O.; Adams, Dean C.; Jaeger, Robert G. (2009). "Interspecific Agonistic Behaviors in a Salamander Community: Implications for Alpha Selection". Herpetologica 65 (2): 174–182.
References
Further reading Highton R (1999). "Geographic protein variation and speciation in the salamanders of the Plethodon cinereus group with the description of two new species". Herpetologica 55 (1): 43–90. (Plethodon electromorphus, new species).