ADW: Rhyacotriton olympicus: INFORMATION

<!DOCTYPE html> <html xmlns:og="http://ogp.me/ns#" lang="en" xml:lang="en"> <head> <title>ADW: Rhyacotriton olympicus: INFORMATION</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rhyacotriton_olympicus/" /> <script type="text/javascript" src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-3.6.0.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-3.3.2.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/js/compat.js"></script> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://animaldiversity.org/favicon.ico" /> <link href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Gentium+Book+Basic:400,400italic,700,700italic" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=PT+Sans:400,700,400italic,700italic" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/bootstrap/css/bootstrap.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/css/pica.styles.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/css/pica.print.css" media="print" />  <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/static/colorbox/colorbox.css" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rhyacotriton_olympicus/" /> <meta content="Rhyacotriton olympicus (Olympic Torrent Salamander)" property="og:title" /> <meta content="website" property="og:type" /> <meta content="Animal Diversity Web" property="og:site_name" /> <meta content="https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/usfws/olympicsalamander/medium.jpg" property="og:image" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@AnimalDiversity" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Rhyacotriton olympicus (Olympic Torrent Salamander)" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Read about Rhyacotriton olympicus (Olympic Torrent Salamander) on the Animal Diversity Web." /> <meta name="twitter:image:src" content="https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/usfws/olympicsalamander/medium.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:image:height" content="480" /> <meta name="twitter:image:width" content="720" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rhyacotriton_olympicus/" /> <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/js/Hyphenator.js"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/social-likes/social-likes_birman.css" /> <style> .social-likes { margin: 0; } .social-likes__widget { margin: 0; } </style>   </head> <body> <div id="outerwrap"> <div id="header" aria-role="header"> <h1> <a id="homelink" href="/">Animal Diversity Web</a> </h1> <div class="umlinks"> <div class="relative"> <a href="https://lsa.umich.edu/ummz/" id="ummzlink">University of Michigan Museum of Zoology</a> <a href="https://www.umich.edu/" id="umlink">University of Michigan</a> </div> </div> </div> <div id="wrap" class="gradient"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row-fluid"> <div class="span2 sidebar left"> <ul class="nav nav-tabs nav-stacked" id="sitemap"> <li> <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about/">About Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/animal_names/">About Animal Names</a> </li> <li> <a href="/teach/">Educational Resources</a> </li> <li> <a href="/collections/">Special Collections</a> </li> <li> <a href="/glossary/">Glossary</a> </li> <li> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/">Browse Animalia</a> </li> </ul> <h2 class="offscreen">More Information</h2> <div class="well"> <h3>Additional Information</h3> <ul class="unstyled"> <li> <a href="http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Rhyacotriton_olympicus/"> BioKIDS Critter Catalog </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?query_src=aw_lists_alpha_&where-genus=Rhyacotriton&where-species=olympicus">AmphibiaWeb</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://eol.org/search/?q=Rhyacotriton olympicus&search=Go">Encyclopedia of Life</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="span7_5 blahblahblah main" aria-role="main"> <h2 class="rank-species">Rhyacotriton olympicus<span class="vernacular-name">Olympic Torrent Salamander</span></h2> <div class="social-likes" data-counters="no"> <div class="facebook" title="Share link on Facebook">Facebook</div> <div class="twitter" title="Share link on Twitter">Twitter</div> </div> <div class="snapshots" aria-hidden="true"> <ul> <li> <a href="/accounts/Rhyacotriton_olympicus/pictures/collections/contributors/usfws/olympicsalamander/"> <img alt=" " src="/collections/contributors/usfws/olympicsalamander/button.jpg" border="0" /> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="byline">By Stephanie DiPonzio</div> <nav class="contents"> <ul> <li> <a href="#geographic_range">Geographic Range</a> </li> <li> <a href="#habitat">Habitat</a> </li> <li> <a href="#physical_description">Physical Description</a> </li> <li> <a href="#development">Development</a> </li> <li> <a href="#reproduction">Reproduction</a> </li> <li> <a href="#lifespan_longevity">Lifespan/Longevity</a> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <a href="#behavior">Behavior</a> </li> <li> <a href="#communication">Communication and Perception</a> </li> <li> <a href="#food_habits">Food Habits</a> </li> <li> <a href="#predation">Predation</a> </li> <li> <a href="#ecosystem_roles">Ecosystem Roles</a> </li> <li> <a href="#economic_importance_positive">Economic Importance for Humans: Positive</a> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <a href="#economic_importance_negative">Economic Importance for Humans: Negative</a> </li> <li> <a href="#conservation_status">Conservation Status</a> </li> <li> <a href="#comments">Other Comments</a> </li> <li> <a href="#contributors">Contributors</a> </li> <li> <a href="#references">References</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="inner-wrap"> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="geographic_range">Geographic Range</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Olympic salamanders are found mainly in coastal areas of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington to northwestern Oregon. Some populations have also been found from southwestern Oregon to Mendicino County, California, and within the Cascade Mountains of Washington and Northern Oregon. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#8E7F99FC-EA4F-497F-BEAB-16787CCCCAF4" class="citation">Wake, et al., 1987</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Biogeographic Regions</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020914235803">nearctic</a> <ul> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145365">native</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="habitat">Habitat</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Olympic salamanders live in humid climates within the forests of the coastal western United States, preferring cooler climates than most other salamanders. They are native to well-forested (largely coniferous) mountain ranges. Generally, they are found in and near streams or running water; they are rarely further than one meter from such an environment and are rarely found deeper than several millimeters under water. These salamanders are often found within moist cliff faces or under rock debris in stream beds. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#C8297FEB-33A0-4E06-8CE5-58F4F118F700" class="citation">Good and Wake, 1992</a>; <a href="#9E1D4DC7-4946-48B5-8884-8FD86C7ECD65" class="citation">Nussbaum and Tait, 1977</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Habitat Regions</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145595">temperate</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145794">terrestrial</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145747">freshwater</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Terrestrial Biomes</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145792">taiga</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145828">forest</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145818">mountains</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Aquatic Biomes</li> <li> <span>rivers and streams</span> </li> </ul> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate two-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Range elevation</dt> <dd>0 to 1200 m</dd> <dd class="english">0.00 to 3937.01 ft</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Average depth</dt> <dd>less than one m</dd> <dd class="english"> ft</dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="physical_description">Physical Description</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Olympic salamanders are dark brown dorsally with white guanophore spots. They are usually yellow ventrally, with dark patches in some individuals. These salamanders typically range between 94 and 97 mm in length, with females being larger than males. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#20D86D7C-5E10-4CF9-82A1-4145C39DBF6B" class="citation">Akios, 2008</a>; <a href="#8E7F99FC-EA4F-497F-BEAB-16787CCCCAF4" class="citation">Wake, et al., 1987</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Other Physical Features</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020916131519">ectothermic</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145642">bilateral symmetry</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Sexual Dimorphism</li> <li> <span>female larger</span> </li> </ul> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate one-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Range length</dt> <dd>94 to 97 mm</dd> <dd class="english">3.70 to 3.82 in</dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="development">Development</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">As with most other salamanders, this species undergoes an aquatic juvenile phase, with external gills and a paddle-shaped tail. Olympic salamanders are approximately 13 mm upon hatching and typically grow to between 30.2 and 38.6 mm following metamophosis. Metamorphosis may occur at any time of year but is most common in late summer of the third year. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#9E1D4DC7-4946-48B5-8884-8FD86C7ECD65" class="citation">Nussbaum and Tait, 1977</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Development - Life Cycle</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145364">metamorphosis</a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="reproduction">Reproduction</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">This species breeds year round, peaking in the Spring. Males are typically more aggressive during breeding periods and use a distinctive tail movement, where only the tail tip is moved, to attract the attention of females before depositing a spermatophore; females then grasp the spermatophore with theur cloacal lips and fertilization takes place internally. Courtship is presumed to take place on land or within the splash zone of streams. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#C4A18449-9E75-4EFD-A4D0-2A25304542E4" class="citation">Arnold, 1977</a>; <a href="#9E1D4DC7-4946-48B5-8884-8FD86C7ECD65" class="citation">Nussbaum and Tait, 1977</a>; <a href="#D6AF8196-0F06-4F5A-9859-7FB279D32473" class="citation">Verrell, 1989</a>; <a href="#7A2ABB63-1F97-11E2-AD54-002500F14F28" class="citation">Zug, et al., 2001</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Mating System</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145483">polygynandrous (promiscuous)</a> </li> </ul> <p audience="advanced intermediate">This species utilizes internal fertilization through cloacal spermatophores produced by the male and taken in by the female. Females may store spermatazoa in spermathecae and may mate with multiple males before laying egg clutches (though it is uncertain how common this is); this species likely mates more than once during a breeding season. They will not participate in courtship until they have reached sexual maturity. Eggs are typically deposited in creek or stream beds where they hatch. The embryonic period, including the time before hatching and after, when the embryo is still feeding on the egg yolk, is estimated at 360 days. Larvae can be as small as 13.5 mm and individuals begin to metamorphose into juveniles between 4-5 years of age (38-26 mm). During metamorphosis, larvae lose their gill slits and external gills. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#0856C33D-1D78-11E2-8D1D-002500F14F28" class="citation">Hayes and Jones, 2012</a>; <a href="#9E1D4DC7-4946-48B5-8884-8FD86C7ECD65" class="citation">Nussbaum and Tait, 1977</a>; <a href="#7A2ABB63-1F97-11E2-AD54-002500F14F28" class="citation">Zug, et al., 2001</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Key Reproductive Features</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145554">iteroparous</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145584">seasonal breeding</a> </li> <li> <span>gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)</span> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145786">sexual</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145546">fertilization</a> <ul> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145427">internal</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145572">oviparous</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145787">sperm-storing</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate three-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Breeding interval</dt> <dd>This species generally breeds once yearly.</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Breeding season</dt> <dd>Breeding season peaks in May, but exact breeding time varies considerably on an individual basis.</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Range number of offspring</dt> <dd>2 to 16</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Average number of offspring</dt> <dd>8</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Range time to hatching</dt> <dd>210 to 295 days</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)</dt> <dd>4 to 5 years</dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt>Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)</dt> <dd>4 to 5 years</dd> </dl> </li> </ul> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Due to the inaccessibility of nests to predators, there is little need for parental care in this species; additionally, due to the long period between egg laying and the larval stage, it would be nearly impossible for a female to remain with her nest and care for young. This trait varies from the typical situation in salamanders, as oophagy is common among many other species. The eggs produced by Olympic salamanders are large (in comparison to those produced by other salamanders), few in number, and are unpigmented. The characteristicly large eggs are consistent with a lack of parental care; however, the relatively small number of eggs produced is further evidence that they are deposited in a location safe from predation. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#A733B4EF-25D1-4656-AE7E-8C88BFC2F8F5" class="citation">Nussbaum, 1985</a>; <a href="#5DA1D322-C44E-4B1C-9C53-CB5D5E885079" class="citation">Ryan, 1977</a>; <a href="#C3B4113F-2ADA-477C-ABEA-ABC2AFC2A8AB" class="citation">Sever, 2003</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Parental Investment</li> <li> <span>no parental involvement</span> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="lifespan_longevity">Lifespan/Longevity</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">There is currently no information available regarding the lifespan of Olympic salamanders; however, based on data from other <a class="taxon-link rank-genus" href="/accounts/Rhyacotriton/">Rhyacotriton</a> species, they are assumed to have a moderately long lifespan of greater than 10 years. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#0856C33D-1D78-11E2-8D1D-002500F14F28" class="citation">Hayes and Jones, 2012</a>)</span></p> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="behavior">Behavior</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Male Olympic salamanders may display aggressive behavior toward each other, particularly during breeding periods. The contrasting yellow belly and farker dorsum is thought to be aposematic, with threatened individuals coiling the body, elevating the tail, and lashing it at the threat to show off this coloration. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#0856C33D-1D78-11E2-8D1D-002500F14F28" class="citation">Hayes and Jones, 2012</a>; <a href="#D6AF8196-0F06-4F5A-9859-7FB279D32473" class="citation">Verrell, 1989</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Key Behaviors</li> <li> <span>terricolous</span> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020914213156">natatorial</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145472">motile</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145381">solitary</a> </li> </ul> <h4>Home Range</h4> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Specific information regarding the home range of this species is unavailable, but in other <a class="taxon-link rank-genus" href="/accounts/Rhyacotriton/">Rhyacotriton</a> species has been found to be limited to a scale of a few meters. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#0856C33D-1D78-11E2-8D1D-002500F14F28" class="citation">Hayes and Jones, 2012</a>)</span></p> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="communication">Communication and Perception</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Although there is no definite data on the matter, it is possible that males of this species utilize their cloacal vent glands in releasing pheromones to communicate with other individuals. Olympic salamanders also sense their environments through visual and tactile cues. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#CD67EF7D-4D22-41F1-8A97-49A9C6CDB01D" class="citation">Sever, 1988</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Communication Channels</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145694">visual</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145606">chemical</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Other Communication Modes</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145769">pheromones</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Perception Channels</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145694">visual</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145500">tactile</a> </li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145606">chemical</a> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="food_habits">Food Habits</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">These salamanders feed primarily upon insects such as springtails (Collembola), piptera, and stonefly (Plecoptera) nymphs. The have also been found to prey upon other aquatic life found in streams, such as amphipods. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#60648A18-3AE0-4F04-B6C7-34F056506EE2" class="citation">Bury, 1970</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate "> <li class="keywords-header">Primary Diet</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145419">carnivore</a> <ul> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020904145711">insectivore</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Animal Foods</li> <li> <span>insects</span> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="predation">Predation</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Although there are no confirmed predators of this species, garter snakes and giant salamanders are considered potential predators. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#20D86D7C-5E10-4CF9-82A1-4145C39DBF6B" class="citation">Akios, 2008</a>; <a href="#0856C33D-1D78-11E2-8D1D-002500F14F28" class="citation">Hayes and Jones, 2012</a>)</span></p> <ul class="keywords donthyphenate last"> <li class="keywords-header">Anti-predator Adaptations</li> <li> <a class="gloss" href="#20020916123459">aposematic</a> </li> </ul> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate one-up"> <li> <dl> <dt>Known Predators</dt> <dd> <ul> <li>Giant salamander (<span rank="Genus" class="taxon-name rank-genus">Dicamptodontidae</span> sp.)</li> <li>Garter snake (<a class="taxon-link rank-genus" href="/accounts/Thamnophis/">Thamnophis</a> sp.)</li> </ul> </dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="ecosystem_roles">Ecosystem Roles</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate"><a class="taxon-link rank-species" href="/accounts/Caudouterina_rhyacotriton/">Caudouterina rhyacotriton</a>, an intestinal trematode, has been found in Olympic salamanders. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#F457468A-8128-40B7-8071-1E1FE906BFD8" class="citation">Martin, 1966</a>)</span></p> <div class="note"> <strong>Commensal/Parasitic Species</strong> <br /> <ul> <li><a class="taxon-link rank-species" href="/accounts/Caudouterina_rhyacotriton/">Caudouterina rhyacotriton</a> (Class Trematoda, Phylum Platyhelminthes)</li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="economic_importance_positive">Economic Importance for Humans: Positive</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">There are no known benefits to humans presented by this species.</p> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="economic_importance_negative">Economic Importance for Humans: Negative</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Deforestation is detrimental to the conservation of Olympic salamanders, posing potential problems to the logging industry functioning throughout its habitat. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#AC1C8772-3ACC-49AC-9729-D03AB8B96E6E" class="citation">Corn and Bury, 1989</a>; <a href="#071969FA-065C-4D77-9C91-D4682A2D2FBE" class="citation">Welsh, 1990</a>)</span></p> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="conservation_status">Conservation Status</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">The logging industry, common in the northwestern United States, is detrimental to the conservation of this species, as deforestation impacts the sedimentation of streams that these salamanders live in and around. Deforestation is also problematic, as the salamanders are found primarily in older forests due to the lack of necessary microhabitat conditions in deforested areas. <span class="citations"> (<a href="#AC1C8772-3ACC-49AC-9729-D03AB8B96E6E" class="citation">Corn and Bury, 1989</a>; <a href="#071969FA-065C-4D77-9C91-D4682A2D2FBE" class="citation">Welsh, 1990</a>)</span></p> <ul class="aside block-grid donthyphenate three-up"> <li> <dl> <dt> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/">IUCN Red List</a> </dt> <dd> <span>Vulnerable</span> </dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.fws.gov/endangered/">US Federal List</a> </dt> <dd> <span>No special status</span> </dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt> <a class="external-link" href="http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php">CITES</a> </dt> <dd> <span>No special status</span> </dd> </dl> </li> <li> <dl> <dt> <a class="external-link" href="http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/data/specialanimals.cfm">State of Michigan List</a> </dt> <dd> <span>No special status</span> </dd> </dl> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="comments">Other Comments</h3> <p audience="advanced intermediate">Olympic salamanders are Urodeles and, as such, can regenerate lost limbs.</p> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="contributors">Contributors</h3> <p>Stephanie DiPonzio (author), Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Jim Ryan (editor), Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Jeremy Wright (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. </p> </section> <section class="offscreen"> <h3 id="glossary">Glossary</h3> <div id="20020914235803"> <dl> <dt>Nearctic</dt> <dd> <p>living in the Nearctic biogeographic province, the northern part of the New World. This includes Greenland, the Canadian Arctic islands, and all of the North American as far south as the highlands of central Mexico.</p> <p align="center"> <img alt="World Map" src="/images/worldmap.2001.jpg" /> </p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020916123459"> <dl> <dt>aposematic</dt> <dd> <p>having coloration that serves a protective function for the animal, usually used to refer to animals with colors that warn predators of their toxicity. For example: animals with bright red or yellow coloration are often toxic or distasteful.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145642"> <dl> <dt>bilateral symmetry</dt> <dd> <p>having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145419"> <dl> <dt>carnivore</dt> <dd> <p>an animal that mainly eats meat</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145606"> <dl> <dt>chemical</dt> <dd> <p>uses smells or other chemicals to communicate</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020916131519"> <dl> <dt>ectothermic</dt> <dd> <p>animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate body temperature</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145546"> <dl> <dt>fertilization</dt> <dd> <p>union of egg and spermatozoan</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145828"> <dl> <dt>forest</dt> <dd> <p>forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145747"> <dl> <dt>freshwater</dt> <dd> <p>mainly lives in water that is not salty.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145711"> <dl> <dt>insectivore</dt> <dd> <p>An animal that eats mainly insects or spiders.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145427"> <dl> <dt>internal fertilization</dt> <dd> <p>fertilization takes place within the female's body</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145554"> <dl> <dt>iteroparous</dt> <dd> <p>offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145364"> <dl> <dt>metamorphosis</dt> <dd> <p>A large change in the shape or structure of an animal that happens as the animal grows. In insects, "incomplete metamorphosis" is when young animals are similar to adults and change gradually into the adult form, and "complete metamorphosis" is when there is a profound change between larval and adult forms. Butterflies have complete metamorphosis, grasshoppers have incomplete metamorphosis.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145472"> <dl> <dt>motile</dt> <dd> <p>having the capacity to move from one place to another.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145818"> <dl> <dt>mountains</dt> <dd> <p>This terrestrial biome includes summits of high mountains, either without vegetation or covered by low, tundra-like vegetation.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020914213156"> <dl> <dt>natatorial</dt> <dd> <p>specialized for swimming</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145365"> <dl> <dt>native range</dt> <dd> <p>the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145572"> <dl> <dt>oviparous</dt> <dd> <p>reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145769"> <dl> <dt>pheromones</dt> <dd> <p>chemicals released into air or water that are detected by and responded to by other animals of the same species</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145483"> <dl> <dt>polygynandrous</dt> <dd> <p>the kind of polygamy in which a female pairs with several males, each of which also pairs with several different females.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145584"> <dl> <dt>seasonal breeding</dt> <dd> <p>breeding is confined to a particular season</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145786"> <dl> <dt>sexual</dt> <dd> <p>reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145381"> <dl> <dt>solitary</dt> <dd> <p>lives alone</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145787"> <dl> <dt>sperm-storing</dt> <dd> <p>mature spermatozoa are stored by females following copulation. Male sperm storage also occurs, as sperm are retained in the male epididymes (in mammals) for a period that can, in some cases, extend over several weeks or more, but here we use the term to refer only to sperm storage by females.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145500"> <dl> <dt>tactile</dt> <dd> <p>uses touch to communicate</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145792"> <dl> <dt>taiga</dt> <dd> <p>Coniferous or boreal forest, located in a band across northern North America, Europe, and Asia. This terrestrial biome also occurs at high elevations. Long, cold winters and short, wet summers. Few species of trees are present; these are primarily conifers that grow in dense stands with little undergrowth. Some deciduous trees also may be present.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145595"> <dl> <dt>temperate</dt> <dd> <p>that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145794"> <dl> <dt>terrestrial</dt> <dd> <p>Living on the ground.</p> </dd> </dl> </div> <div id="20020904145694"> <dl> <dt>visual</dt> <dd> <p>uses sight to communicate</p> </dd> </dl> </div> </section> <section class="hyphenate"> <h3 id="references">References</h3> <p id="4C2E5335-1FA3-11E2-9EA9-002500F14F28">"Regeneration in Urodeles" (On-line). Urodele Amphibians: The Regenerative Vertebrate Exception. Accessed October 26, 2012 at <tt><a href="http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/anphys/2000/Grayson/GRAYSON.HTM">http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/anphys/2000/Grayson/GRAYSON.HTM</a></tt>. </p> <p id="20D86D7C-5E10-4CF9-82A1-4145C39DBF6B">Akios, C. 2008. <span style="font-style: italic">Habitat Loss and the Utility of an Old-growth Corridor for Herpetofauna in Olympic National Forest</span>. Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest Information and Learning Company. </p> <p id="C4A18449-9E75-4EFD-A4D0-2A25304542E4">Arnold, S. 1977. The evolution of Courtship Behavior in New World Salamanders with Some Comments on Old World Salamanders. <span style="font-style: italic">The Reproductive Biology of Amphibians</span>: 141-183. </p> <p id="60648A18-3AE0-4F04-B6C7-34F056506EE2">Bury, B. 1970. Food Similarities in the Tailed Frog, Ascaphus truei, and the Olympic Salamander, Rhyacotriton olympicus. <span style="font-style: italic">Copeia</span>, Vol. 1970, No. 1: 170-171. </p> <p id="AC1C8772-3ACC-49AC-9729-D03AB8B96E6E">Corn, P., B. Bury. 1989. Logging in Western Oregon: Responses of Headwater Habitats and Stream Amphibians. <span style="font-style: italic">Forest Ecology and Management</span>, Vol 29, Issues 1-2: 39-57. </p> <p id="C8297FEB-33A0-4E06-8CE5-58F4F118F700">Good, D., D. Wake. 1992. <span style="font-style: italic">Geographic variation and speciation in the Torrent salamanders of the genus Rhyacotriton (Caudata: Rhyacotritonidae)</span>. Berkeley: University of California Press. </p> <p id="0856C33D-1D78-11E2-8D1D-002500F14F28">Hayes, M., L. Jones. 2012. "Rhyacotrion olympicus" (On-line). AmphibiaWeb. Accessed October 22, 2012 at <tt><a href="http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Rhyacotriton&where-species=olympicus">http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Rhyacotriton&where-species=olympicus</a></tt>. </p> <p id="F457468A-8128-40B7-8071-1E1FE906BFD8">Martin, G. 1966. Caudouterina rhyacotritoni gen. et sp. n. (Trematoda: Digenea) from the Olympic Salamander. <span style="font-style: italic">The Journal of Parasitology</span>, 52/5: 935-938. </p> <p id="9E1D4DC7-4946-48B5-8884-8FD86C7ECD65">Nussbaum, R., C. Tait. 1977. Aspects of the Life History and Ecology of the Olympic Salamander, Rhyacotriton olympicus (Gaige). <span style="font-style: italic">American Midland Naturalist</span>, Vol. 98, No. 1: 176-199. </p> <p id="A733B4EF-25D1-4656-AE7E-8C88BFC2F8F5">Nussbaum, R. 1985. <span style="font-style: italic">The evolution of parental care in salamanders</span>. Ann Arbor: Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan. </p> <p id="5DA1D322-C44E-4B1C-9C53-CB5D5E885079">Ryan, M. 1977. Parental Care in Salamanders. <span style="font-style: italic">Bulletin of the New York Herpetological Society</span>, Vol. 13, No. 2: 23-28. </p> <p id="C3B4113F-2ADA-477C-ABEA-ABC2AFC2A8AB">Sever, D. 2003. <span style="font-style: italic">Reproductive biology and phylogeny of Urodela</span>. Enfield, NH: Science Publishers. </p> <p id="CD67EF7D-4D22-41F1-8A97-49A9C6CDB01D">Sever, D. 1988. Male Rhyacotriton olympicus (Dicamptodontidae: Urodela) Has a Unique Cloacal Vent Gland. <span style="font-style: italic">Herpetologica</span>, 44/3: 274-280. </p> <p id="D6AF8196-0F06-4F5A-9859-7FB279D32473">Verrell, P. 1989. The Sexual Strategies of Natural Populations of Newts and Salamanders. <span style="font-style: italic">Herpetologica</span>, 45/3: 265-285. </p> <p id="8E7F99FC-EA4F-497F-BEAB-16787CCCCAF4">Wake, D., G. Wurst, D. Good. 1987. Patterns of geographic variation in allozymes of the Olympic Salamander, Rhyacotriton olympicus (Caudata: Dicamptodontidae). <span style="font-style: italic">Fieldiana. Zoology.</span>, 32: 1-15. </p> <p id="071969FA-065C-4D77-9C91-D4682A2D2FBE">Welsh, H. 1990. Relictual Amphibians and Old-Growth Forests. <span style="font-style: italic">Conservation Biology</span>, 4/3: 309-319. </p> <p id="7A2ABB63-1F97-11E2-AD54-002500F14F28">Zug, G., L. Vitt, J. Caldwell. 2001. <span style="font-style: italic">Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles</span>. San Diego, CA: Academic Press. </p> </section> </div> </div> <div class="span2_5 right sidebar"> <div class="well" id="pocket-guide-link"> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/adw-pocket-guide/id916179421?mt=8" target="_blank"><i class="icon-download icon-white" style="vertical-align: bottom"></i> ADW Pocket Guides on the iOS App Store! </a> <p>The Animal Diversity Web team is excited to announce ADW Pocket Guides!</p> <p> <a href="/news/5009059054038197651/">Read more...</a> </p> </div> <h2 class="offscreen">Search</h2> <div id="site-search"> <form action="/search" method="GET"> <label for="q" class="offscreen">Enter search text</label> <input value="" id="q" name="q" class="span12" size="15" type="text" placeholder="Search ADW" /> <button class="btn"> <i class="icon-zoom-in"></i> <span class="offscreen">Search</span> </button> <p style="max-height: 35px"> <label for="feature-list" class="offscreen">Search in feature</label> <select size="1" name="feature" class="feature-list input-medium" id="feature-list"> <option value="INFORMATION">Taxon Information</option> <option value="COLLECTIONS">Contributor Galleries</option> <option value="TOPICS">Topics</option> <option value="CLASSIFICATION">Classification</option> </select> </p> </form> <ul class="unstyled"> <li> <a href="https://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/quaardvark/">Explore Data @ Quaardvark</a> </li> <li> <a href="/search_guide/">Search Guide</a> </li> </ul> </div> <h2 class="offscreen">Navigation Links</h2> <dl class="tabbed features"> <dd class="feature-information active"> <a name="feature-information" href="/accounts/Rhyacotriton_olympicus/" class="active" id="feature-information"> Information </a> </dd> <dd class="feature-pictures"> <a name="feature-pictures" href="/accounts/Rhyacotriton_olympicus/pictures/" id="feature-pictures"> Pictures </a> </dd> <dd class="feature-classification"> <a name="feature-classification" href="/accounts/Rhyacotriton_olympicus/classification/#Rhyacotriton_olympicus" id="feature-classification"> Classification </a> </dd> </dl> <div class="classification well"> <h3>Classification</h3> <ul class="unstyled"> <li> <span class="rank">Kingdom</span> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/" class="taxon-name rank-kingdom">Animalia</a> <span class="vernacular-name">animals</span> <div class="features"> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/" class="feature feature-information" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Animalia: information (1)" data-delay="250" data-total="4749">Animalia: information (1)</a> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Animalia: pictures (22861)" data-delay="250">Animalia: pictures (22861)</a> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/specimens/" class="feature feature-specimens" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Animalia: specimens (7109)" data-delay="250">Animalia: specimens (7109)</a> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/sounds/" class="feature feature-sounds" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Animalia: sounds (722)" data-delay="250">Animalia: sounds (722)</a> <a href="/accounts/Animalia/maps/" class="feature feature-maps" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Animalia: maps (42)" data-delay="250">Animalia: maps (42)</a> </div> </li> <li> <span class="rank">Phylum</span> <a href="/accounts/Chordata/" class="taxon-name rank-phylum">Chordata</a> <span class="vernacular-name">chordates</span> <div class="features"> <a href="/accounts/Chordata/" class="feature feature-information" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Chordata: information (1)" data-delay="250" data-total="3902">Chordata: information (1)</a> <a href="/accounts/Chordata/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Chordata: pictures (15213)" data-delay="250">Chordata: pictures (15213)</a> <a href="/accounts/Chordata/specimens/" class="feature feature-specimens" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Chordata: specimens (6829)" data-delay="250">Chordata: specimens (6829)</a> <a href="/accounts/Chordata/sounds/" class="feature feature-sounds" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Chordata: sounds (709)" data-delay="250">Chordata: sounds (709)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> <li> <span class="rank">Subphylum</span> <a href="/accounts/Vertebrata/" class="taxon-name rank-subphylum">Vertebrata</a> <span class="vernacular-name">vertebrates</span> <div class="features"> <a href="/accounts/Vertebrata/" class="feature feature-information" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Vertebrata: information (1)" data-delay="250" data-total="3899">Vertebrata: information (1)</a> <a href="/accounts/Vertebrata/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Vertebrata: pictures (15168)" data-delay="250">Vertebrata: pictures (15168)</a> <a href="/accounts/Vertebrata/specimens/" class="feature feature-specimens" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Vertebrata: specimens (6827)" data-delay="250">Vertebrata: specimens (6827)</a> <a href="/accounts/Vertebrata/sounds/" class="feature feature-sounds" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Vertebrata: sounds (709)" data-delay="250">Vertebrata: sounds (709)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> <li> <span class="rank">Class</span> <a href="/accounts/Amphibia/" class="taxon-name rank-class">Amphibia</a> <span class="vernacular-name">frogs, salamanders, and caecilians</span> <div class="features"> <a href="/accounts/Amphibia/" class="feature feature-information" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Amphibia: information (1)" data-delay="250" data-total="221">Amphibia: information (1)</a> <a href="/accounts/Amphibia/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Amphibia: pictures (648)" data-delay="250">Amphibia: pictures (648)</a> <a href="/accounts/Amphibia/specimens/" class="feature feature-specimens" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Amphibia: specimens (13)" data-delay="250">Amphibia: specimens (13)</a> <a href="/accounts/Amphibia/sounds/" class="feature feature-sounds" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Amphibia: sounds (20)" data-delay="250">Amphibia: sounds (20)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> <li> <span class="rank">Family</span> <a href="/accounts/Rhyacotritonidae/" class="taxon-name rank-family">Rhyacotritonidae</a> <span class="vernacular-name">Torrent Salamanders</span> <div class="features"> <a href="/accounts/Rhyacotritonidae/" class="feature feature-information" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Rhyacotritonidae: information (1)" data-delay="250" data-total="3">Rhyacotritonidae: information (1)</a> <a href="/accounts/Rhyacotritonidae/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Rhyacotritonidae: pictures (2)" data-delay="250">Rhyacotritonidae: pictures (2)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-specimens"></span> <span class="feature-off feature-sounds"></span> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> <li> <span class="rank">Genus</span> <a href="/accounts/Rhyacotriton/" class="taxon-name rank-genus">Rhyacotriton</a> <span class="vernacular-name"></span> <div class="features"> <span class="feature-off feature-information"></span> <a href="/accounts/Rhyacotriton/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Rhyacotriton: pictures (2)" data-delay="250">Rhyacotriton: pictures (2)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-specimens"></span> <span class="feature-off feature-sounds"></span> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> <li class="active"> <span class="rank">Species</span> <a href="/accounts/Rhyacotriton_olympicus/" class="taxon-name rank-species">Rhyacotriton olympicus</a> <span class="vernacular-name">Olympic Torrent Salamander</span> <div class="features"> <a href="/accounts/Rhyacotriton_olympicus/" class="feature feature-information" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Rhyacotriton olympicus: information (1)" data-delay="250" data-total="1">Rhyacotriton olympicus: information (1)</a> <a href="/accounts/Rhyacotriton_olympicus/pictures/" class="feature feature-pictures" rel="tooltip" data-original-title="Rhyacotriton olympicus: pictures (1)" data-delay="250">Rhyacotriton olympicus: pictures (1)</a> <span class="feature-off feature-specimens"></span> <span class="feature-off feature-sounds"></span> <span class="feature-off feature-maps"></span> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="footer" aria-role="contentinfo"> <div class="inner-footer"> <div class="page-citation"> <p class="content">To cite this page: DiPonzio, S. 2013. "Rhyacotriton olympicus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed February 18, 2025 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rhyacotriton_olympicus/</p> </div> <div class="disclaimer"> <p class="content"><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource <strong>written largely by and for college students</strong>. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control. </p> </div> <div class="footer-links"> <ul class="unstyled"> <li><a href="https://www.umich.edu/">U-M Gateway</a> | <a href="https://lsa.umich.edu/ummz/">U-M Museum of Zoology</a></li> <li> <a href="https://lsa.umich.edu/eeb/">U-M Ecology and Evolutionary Biology</a> </li> <li> 漏 2020 Regents of the University of Michigan </li> <li><a href="/feedback/error_form/">Report Error</a> / <a href="/feedback/comment_form/">Comment</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="thanks-links"> <p>This material is based upon work supported by the <a href="https://nsf.gov">National Science Foundation</a> Grants DRL 0089283, DRL 0628151, DUE 0633095, DRL 0918590, and DUE 1122742. Additional support has come from the Marisla Foundation, UM College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Museum of Zoology, and Information and Technology Services. </p> <p> The ADW Team gratefully acknowledges their support. </p> </div> </div> </div> <script></script> </div> <script src="/static/js/jquery.colorbox.js"></script> <script src="/static/js/pica.information.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-7143967-1"); pageTracker._setCustomVar(1,"author",":DiPonzio,Stephanie:",3); pageTracker._setCustomVar(2,"editor",":Ryan,Jim::Wright,Jeremy:",3); pageTracker._setCustomVar(3,"organization",":Hobart & William Smith Colleges:",3); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> (function(c,l,a,r,i,t,y){ c[a]=c[a]||function(){(c[a].q=c[a].q||[]).push(arguments)}; t=l.createElement(r);t.async=1;t.src="https://www.clarity.ms/tag/"+i; y=l.getElementsByTagName(r)[0];y.parentNode.insertBefore(t,y); })(window, document, "clarity", "script", "6f4vquqfce"); </script> <script async="async" src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-0ZHSR6DBVK"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-0ZHSR6DBVK'); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/bootstrap/js/bootstrap.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/social-likes/social-likes.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/static/js/links.js"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

ADW: Rhyacotriton olympicus: INFORMATION