Species: Rhyacotriton olympicus

Olympic Torrent Salamander
Species
Amphibians
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Terrestrial vertebrates: amphibians

For all species in the genus, mean SVL for the largest 10% of adults is between 5 and 6 cm. OLYMPICUS: largest of the 4 species; mean SVL of the largest 10% of males 59.0 mm, 57.3 mm for females.

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Craniata
Class

Amphibia

Order

Caudata

Family

Rhyacotritonidae

Genus

Rhyacotriton

Natureserve Explorer
Source:
ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.104835
Classification
Informal Taxonomy
Animals, Vertebrates - Amphibians - Salamanders
Formal Taxonomy
Animalia - Craniata - Amphibia - Caudata - Rhyacotritonidae - Rhyacotriton - An analysis of allozyme variation in the long-standing monotypic genus RHYACOTRITON yielded three distinct geographic units: (1) the Coast Ranges from the Olympic Peninsula of Washington to northwestern Oregon, (2) the Coast Ranges from northwestern Oregon to Mendocino County, California, and (3) the Cascade Mountains of south-central Washington and northern Oregon (Good et al. 1987). The level of morphological differentiation was not concordant with the genetic patterns observed. Because no contact areas or areas of sympatry were found, Good et al. (1987) did not recommend any taxonomic changes, but the authors did state that RHYACOTRITON probably includes three separate species, each of which displays substantial intraspecific differentiation. Further study by Good and Wake (1992) confirmed high levels of genetic differentiation and revealed no gene flow in contact zones; Good and Wake concluded that RHYACOTRITON comprises 4 species: R. OLYMPICUS, R. CASCADAE (new taxon), R. KEZERI (new taxon), and R. VARIEGATUS (raised from subspecific rank). Further, they removed RHYACOTRITON from the family Dicamptodontidae and established it as the sole member of the family Rhyacotritonidae.

For all species in the genus, mean SVL for the largest 10% of adults is between 5 and 6 cm. OLYMPICUS: largest of the 4 species; mean SVL of the largest 10% of males 59.0 mm, 57.3 mm for females.

Short General Description
A small salamander.
Migration
true - false - false
Non-migrant
true
Locally Migrant
false
Food Comments
Opportunistic. Larvae feed on aquatic invertebrates such as flatworms, annelids, snails, arachnids, crustaceans, and insects. Adults eat aquatic/semi-aquatic invertebrates, including beetles, stoneflies, snails, flies, amphipods, etc. (Nussbaum et al. 1983).
Reproduction Comments
Mean clutch size (based on yolked ovarian follicles) = 7.9 (Good and Wake 1992). Larval period lasts probably 3-4.5 years (Nussbaum and Tait 1977). Sexually mature 1.0-1.5 years after metamorphosis (Behler and King 1979; Nussbaum et al. 1983).
Ecology Comments
Adults are very sensitive to desiccation.
Length
12
NatureServe Global Status Rank
G3
Global Status Last Reviewed
2002-03-29
Global Status Last Changed
2001-11-28
Other Status

VU - Vulnerable

Conservation Status Map
<img src="http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/GetMapGif?US.WA=S3" alt="Conservation Status Map" style="width: 475px; height: auto;" />
Global Range
E - 5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles) - E - Olympic Peninsula in Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason counties, Washington (Good and Wake 1992).
Global Range Code
E
Global Range Description
5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles)
ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.104835