Del Norte salamander

Del Norte salamander
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Urodela
Family:	Plethodontidae
Subfamily:	Plethodontinae
Genus:	Plethodon
Species:	P. elongatus
Binomial name
Plethodon elongatus Van Denburgh, 1916

The Del Norte salamander (Plethodon elongatus) is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae endemic to the United States in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California.^[1][2][3]

Plethodon elongatus is a medium-sized, slender salamander. Adults are 6–7.5 cm (2.4–3.0 in) from snout to vent, and 11–15 cm (4.3–5.9 in) in total length. Limbs are relatively short; toes are short and slightly webbed. Dorsal coloration is dark brown or black. A reddish or reddish-brown straight-edged mid-dorsal stripe may extend from the head to the tip of the tail; the stripe may be less pronounced in older animals.^[3]

P. elongatus is a fully terrestrial salamander. Clutch size is three to 11 eggs (mean eight). No free-living larval stage exists, and juveniles hatch completely metamorphosed, measuring about 18 mm (0.71 in) in snout–vent length.^[3]

The species occurs in areas of moist talus and rocky substrates in redwood or Douglas fir forests. It is typically encountered among moss-covered rocks or under bark and other forest litter, usually avoiding very wet areas.^[1]

The Del Norte salamander is locally abundant in suitable habitat. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by logging.^[1]