Ezo salamander

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Ezo salamander
Hynobius retardatus.JPG

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Hynobiidae
Genus: Hynobius
Species:
H. retardatus
Binomial name
Hynobius retardatus
(Dunn, 1923)

The Ezo salamander or Hokkaido salamander (Hynobius retardatus) is a species of salamander in the family Hynobiidae, endemic to Japan. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate shrubland, swamps, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, freshwater springs, irrigated land, and canals and ditches.

Discovery and Taxonomy[]

In 1923, it was discovered by American herpetologist Emmett Reid Dunn, the same year the Hida salamanders and Amber salamanders were discovered. The name Ezo comes from Yezo, the old name of Hokkaido.[2] Based on research on June 2018, the salamander is distantly related to others of its genus.[3]

Size and Description[]

An adult could reach 115 mm-200 mm(4.52 inch-7.87 inch)long. Also, it has 5 toes on its hind feet. The adults are dark brown while juveniles are the same colour just that they're sprinkled with gold flecks.[4]

Diet[]

This salamander feeds on invertebrates like snails and worms. It's larvae meanwhile eats tadpoles of the Hokkaido frog[5] and possibly larvae of Siberian Salamanders.[6] Cannibalism is not something bizarre when prey items are scarce.[7]

Threats[]

Ezo salamander individuals are traded on the internet as pets. They are also in danger of invasive species.Racoons, who were introduced by humans have been known to have preyed on these salamanders.[8] Meanwhile, the Japanese toad's tadpoles which are toxic, are prey for the larvae of the Ezo salamanders. If the larvae of the salamanders eat them, it will cause fatality.[9] Populations near humans are decreasing due to the modification of wetlands. Construction of houses, roads and farms are also a toll for these populations.


References[]

  1. ^ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2021). "Hynobius retardatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T59101A177215489. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T59101A177215489.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ Goris, R.C. and Maeda, N. (2004). Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Japan. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida.
  3. ^ BEAST-chronogram-for-the-Hynobius-kimurae-H-boulengeri-species-complex-based-on-the_fig3_325896254
  4. ^ Goris, R.C. and Maeda, N. (2004). Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Japan. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida
  5. ^ Goris, R.C. and Maeda, N. (2004). Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Japan. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida.
  6. ^ Prospective interspecies interaction between Siberian and Ezo salamander larvae
  7. ^ Goris, R.C. and Maeda, N. (2004). Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Japan. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida.
  8. ^ Hori, S., Ueki, R., and Sappro Keisei High School Science Club Field Team. 2013. Predation of native amphibians by raccoon (Procyon lotor) has been confirmed in Nopporo Forest Park. Hokkaido hachu ryoseirui kekyu hokoki 1: 1-10.
  9. ^ Oyake, N., Sasaki, N., Yamaguchi, A., Fujita, H., Tagami, M., Ikeya, K., Takagi, M., Kobayashi, M., Abe, H., and Kishida, O. 2020. Comparison of susceptibility to a toxic alien toad (Bufo japonicus formosus) between predators in its native and invaded ranges. Freshwater Biology 65: 240-252.
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