LIMESTONE SALAMANDER Hydromantes brunus (Gorman) 



Order: CAUDATA Family: PLETHODONTIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A lungless , terrestrial salamander; uniformly brown 

 above and pale below; underside of tail yellowish (Stebbins, 1966) . 



Present distribution : Vicinity of Briceburg, Mariposa County, California, at confluence 

 of Bear Creek and Merced River and along tributaries of Bear Creek, at altitudes of 

 1,200 to 2,500 feet. Recently located about 15 miles south of Briceburg (R. Bruce Bury, 

 Pers. Comm. , 1972). 



Former distribution : Probably same as at present . 



Status : Exists only in several small populations , and will be in peril if limestone in 

 area is quarried. Listed as rare by California Dept. of Fish & Game. 



Estimated numbers : Currently known only from several localities within range given 

 above, with probably not many more than 50 adult individuals in any single population 

 (Stebbins, 1967). 



Breeding rate in the wild : Unknown . 



Reasons for decline : Not currently on decline, but the species is found in a region 

 which might become a commercial source of limestone, and its habitat is solely that of 

 crevices in limestone sliffs and ledges and in limestone talus . Highway construction 

 could threaten some populations . 



Protective measures already taken : Protected by California law . 



Measures proposed : Establishment of protected areas within range of species where 

 quarrying would not be permitted; avoidance of undue disturbance of habitat. Establish 

 ecological reserve proposed by California Dept. of Fish & Game. 



Number in captivity : Probably none. 



Breeding potential in captivity : Probably none; the species must be protected in its 

 native habitat. 



References : 



Bury, R. B. 1972. Status report on California's threatened amphibians and reptiles. 



Inland Fisheries Administrative Report 72-2. California Dept. of Fish & Game. 

 Gorman, J. 1954. Herpetologica, Vol. 10, pp. 153-158. 

 . 1964. Hydromantes brunus , H. platycephalus , and H. shastae . 



Catalogue of American amphibian reptiles, 11.1 - 11.2. 

 Leach, H. R. and L. D. Fisk. 1972. At the crossroads — a report on California's 



endangered and rare fish and wildlife. California Dept. of Fish & Game. „ 

 Stebbins, R. C. 1954. Amphibians and reptiles of western North America, 



pp. 534-535. 



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