Shovelnose salamander

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Shovelnose salamander (Desmognathus marmoratus) is a salamander in the Plethodontidae family. It is found only in the United States, mainly in the Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern states, from Virginia to South Carolina, at elevations of about 300 to 1,680 meters (980 to 5,510 feet).

Description:
It is a sturdy, broad salamander with a relatively short tail. Adults grow about 9 to 12.5 cm (3.5 to 5 inches) long. The snout is square-shaped. Color is dusky brown to gray or black with two long rows of pale patches and many small pale speckles. The belly is usually gray.

Habitat and behavior:
Shovelnose salamanders live in shallow, flowing streams with gravel or rocky bottoms and avoid silty streams. They are aquatic, staying in or near the water and feeding on aquatic invertebrates. They do not have a fixed home range or strong territoriality.

Taxonomy note:
Two other shovel-nosed salamanders, the golden shovel-nosed (D. aureatus) and black shovel-nosed (D. melanius), were described as separate species in 1956 but were later lumped with D. marmoratus and then sometimes revived as distinct in 2009. Their status is debated because of DNA mixing between Desmognathus species, and some authorities still treat them as separate, while others do not.

Reproduction:
Breeding happens in late spring to early summer. Females lay eggs on the underside of rocks in moving water, either singly or in small clumps. Eggs hatch after about 11 weeks. The larvae hide among gravel and feed on aquatic invertebrates. They metamorphose into adults after 2 to 3 years and reach maturity around 5 years.

Conservation:
The IUCN lists the shovelnose salamander as Least Concern, meaning it has a large population and declines are slow. Threats include sediment buildup in streams from logging, agriculture, and dams, but the species occurs in many protected areas. It can also be affected when anglers use them as bait.