User:Feelthebern2016/sandbox

Being a rarely studied species, it will be hard to find a lot of specific information on the subject. However, I want to give the reader enough information to use as a reliable source for school research projects

Description [edit]
Hydromantes brunus (limestone salamander) is rare and specific to Merced Canyon. Hydromantes is composed of three species endemic to parts of California in the United States, also including Hydromantes platycephalus and Hydromantes shastae. [2]

It respires through its skin and manifests a flattened body and head. It is typically 5.0 to 7.5 centimeters in length and has webbed toes. The adults are brownish with a pale ventral surface. They are sexually dimorphic in that the male has oval-shaped mental gland. Young hatch in the egg and go through no intermediate stage. Juveniles are yellowish greenish, darkening with age. The total population of this rare species is estimated at less than 2000 individuals. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, freshwater springs, rocky areas, and caves. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Habitats [edit]
The creature's specialized habitat is canyon slopes that are greater than 35 degrees.[3] According to Earth Metrics, the sole Merced River Canyon habitat is part of an area "representative of foothill habitats forming a band along the length of the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the western slopes at intermediate elevations. As a whole, this band is one of the largest contiguous wildlife habitats in the state [of California]."[4] The elevation range is from 300-760m asl.

A portion of the Merced River Canyon is protected by the State of California and managed by the State Department of Fish and Game as the Limestone Salamander Ecological Reserve[3]

Its habitat includes moss-covered limestones outcroppings, chaparral, under rocks and logs in moist environments. During dry weather it stays underground in caves, rock crevices.

Phenology [edit]
Hydromantes brunus are known to bear live young. The young tail motion, righting response, limb movement, and tongue licks are considered to be different from the adults. In addition, the young resemble the adults in their teeth, the elongated neck, nostrils, and nasoglobial grooves.

Threats [edit]
Current anthropogenic threats include a gold operation mine in Hell Hollow, other potential include habitat fragmentation, quarrying for limestone, and dams.[5] The species is listed as threatened on the Department of Fish and Game.

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Conservation Status
There is a dedicated group to the protection of this species. The Limestone Salamander Ecological Reserve (LSER) protects about 120 acres of habitat. In addition, the Bureau of Land Management reserves 1,600 acres to protection.