Eastern red-backed salamander

Eastern red-backed salamander [4]

General Description

Plethodontidae is the family that the eastern red-backed salamanders are classified in, as they are lungless. Oxygen dissolves into the moisture on their skin and then the oxygen is absorbed into the skin. It is vital for them to maintain their moisture, without it they cannot breathe. It should also be noted that one should not physically handle a salamander for long period of time as they can lose that moisture.

These salamanders come in two different color phases, the first being the lead-back, and the other being the red-back. The red-backed phase is the usual coloring of reddish orange along the back. Lead-backs have a dark grey to black coloring over their body. Adults will reach about 2-5 inches in length.

Distribution map of Eastern red-backed salamander [4]

Geographic Distribution & Habitat

Eastern red-backed salamanders can be found as far south as North Carolina, west over to Ohio, and north into New England through Nova Scotia. They can be found in varying types of forests, from deciduous or coniferous. Dry or sandy soils will usually be avoided by this species. Like most salamanders one can find them hidden under logs, leaf litter, and rocks as they are most active during the night.

Ecology

Their role in the ecosystem of soil is vitally important, especially in regards to the fungal community. Fungus plays an essential role in the nutrient cycling of forests, without them the organic matter would not be broken down. Many invertebrates such as mites, beetles, centipedes, and snails feed upon fungus as a source of nutrition. The salamanders ensure a balance is kept by controlling the populations of these insects [2]. The eastern red-backs not only indirectly influence the volume of fungus present but also the diversity of fungus in the ecosystem as well. Based on the 2002 study by Jaeger et al, 1 square kilometer can be home to 3 million eastern red-backed salamanders. It is estimated that their population outnumbers all birds and mammals in that area combined [2].

Female eastern red-back guarding her eggs [6]

Reproduction

Mating season for eastern red-backs begins in sometime between October through December. Males will follow the pheromone trails left by the females. The courtship initiates with the male rubbing his head on the female's snout. After the rubbing has ceased the male then deposits the spermatophore and the female retrieves it. A very large amount of energy is required for the females to produce their eggs, so it is thought that they only breed once every other year. She lays her eggs sometime in the summer. Most amphibians will leave their eggs after they have been laid but the female salamander remains with them until hatching occurs. She will protect them from hungry predators and ensure they stay moist [2]. Eggs then hatch two months later in August or September.

References

[1] Harding, J. & Mifsud, D. "Amphibians & Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region". University of Michigan Press, 2017. pg 99-102

[2] Clark,E. "Essential ubiquity: "How one tiny salamander species has a huge impact" Mongabay Series: Salamanders, 21 December 2018

[3] AmphibiaWeb. 2021. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.

[4] Eastern red-backed salamander photographed by Larry Clarfeld on April 26th, 2018 from iNaturalist

[5] Robert G. Jaeger, Jennifer R. Gillette, Robert C. Cooper, Sexual coercion in a territorial salamander: males punish socially polyandrous female partners, Animal Behavior, Volume 63, Issue 5, 2002, Pages 871-877, doi:10.1006/anbe.2001.1977.

[6] Female eastern red-backed salamander guarding her eggs, photograph from https://www.amphibianfact.com/red-backed-salamander.asp