An addition to the amphibian fauna of California

Authors

David A. Mullen, University of San Francisco
Robert C. Stebbins, University of California, Berkeley, California

Abstract

A population of salamanders of the genus Ambystoma has been found at Grass Lake, Siskiyou County, in Northern California. A five-year study has established that the salamanders are reproducing successfully and may represent a relictual population of native amphibians. The Grass Lake area has a sparse human population, which may help to explain how this secretive amphibian could have escaped notice. Attempts to determine the taxonomic position of the Grass Lake salamander, through comparisons of body measurements and coloration with those of other western ambystomatids, were inconclusive. These comparisons suggest, however, a close relationship with the geographically most proximate subspecies, A.t. californiense Gray and A.t. melanostictum Baird. Grass Lake is near the midpoint of a gap area of approximately 800 km that separates these subspecies. Regardless of the origin of the population, it must now be listed as an established addition to the amphibian fauna of California.

Recommended Citation

Mullen, David A. and Stebbins, Robert C. (1978) "An addition to the amphibian fauna of California," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 38: No. 4, Article 7.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol38/iss4/7