The Kiamichi slimy salamander (''Plethodon kiamichi'') is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae endemic to the United States, has a natural habitat of temperate forests, and is found over a small range. This nocturnal species is mainly threatened by habitat loss and was first described by Highton in 1989. It is rated as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Description

Adult specimens have been observed with lengths between and it feeds on spiders, worms, insects, and other small invertebrate animal species. It is a nocturnal species which assists it keeping from predators, and is thought to hibernate between the middle of November and towards the end of March. To prevent

desiccation Desiccation () is the state of extreme dryness, or the process of extreme drying. A desiccant is a hygroscopic (attracts and holds water) substance that induces or sustains such a state in its local vicinity in a moderately sealed container. ...

, the Kiamichi slimy salamander goes into burrows or under objects. It has terrestrial methods of reproduction and is mainly found near logs and rocks. Its skin creates secretions that are noxious, and it forms adhesive skin secretions when touched.

Distribution

The Kiamichi slimy salamander is found in the Kiamichi Mountains and Round Mountains of

Le Flore County LeFlore County is a county along the eastern border of the U.S state of Oklahoma. As of the 2010 census, the population was 50,384. Its county seat is Poteau. The county is part of the Fort Smith metropolitan area and the name honors a Choct ...

, eastern

Oklahoma Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the nor ...

and Polk County, western Arkansas, respectively. It is threatened by habitat loss (deforestation) and details regarding its population are unknown. The IUCN has rated its conservation status as data deficient due to the lack of information regarding the range and occurrence of the species. It occurs in ravines and moist forests mainly near logs and rocks and it might be common in a small area.

Taxonomy

''Plethodon kiamichi'' was described by Highton in 1989.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1594337 Plethodon Endemic amphibians of the United States Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Amphibians described in 1989