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A Key to the Adult Salamanders of Oklahoma, 

 Including the Forms Likely to Occur in the State 



HAROLD A. DUNDEE AND ARTHUR N. BRAGG 



THE following key includes only the adults of salamanders known in- 

 Oklahoma or likely to be found within the state. The information on 

 the eggs and larvae, at the present time, is insufficient to make feasible 

 the construction of a key for immature forms. Ranges given apply to Okla- 

 homa only. Many species, of course, occur in other states. 



We acknowledge our considerable indebtedness to S. C. Bishop's manual. 

 Handbook^ of Salamanders, with which we believe our work consistent, and 

 to which reference should be made on problems involving the salamanders 

 of the United States. 



Key to the Families 



1. Body elongated and eel-like; limbs very short 2 



1. Body flattened and shorter, not eel-like; limbs longer and suitable for walking . 3 



2. Large external gills at base of head; hind limbs absent. Sirenidae. 

 Only the one species in the state, the siren or mud-eel. 



Siren intermedia ncttingi Coin. 



2. A single pair of gill slits in the adult (larvae may have small gills); both anterior 

 and posterior limbs present. Amphiumidae. 

 Only the one species, the congo "eel." Amphitima means tridactyhtm Cuvier. 



3. Adults with external gills or gill slits; always living in water 4 



3. Adults without gills or gill slits; found on land but may enter water 7 



4. External gills present in the adults 5 



4. External gills absent in adults but present in larvae. Adults with a single pair of 

 gill-slits; a wrinkled fold of flesh along either side. Crvptobranchidae. 

 Only the one species, the hellbender. Cryptobranchtts alleganiensis (Daudin). 

 Not known definitely from the state but it has been taken in the Neosho River just 

 north of the Oklahoma line. 



5. Five toes on hind feet; length usually less than 9 inches 6 



5. Four toes on hind feet; length often exceeding 9 inches. Proteidae. 

 Only the one species, the mudpuppy or water dog. 



Nectttriis m. maetdostis (Rafinesque). 



6. Length usual))' over 6 inches; body stout; dorsal fin continued on body to base of 

 head; gills very large in comjxirison to head; costal grooves fewer than 14. 



Ambvstomidae. 

 Only one member of this family in Oklahoma conforms to this ncotenic condi- 

 tion, the tiger salamander in the western half of the state. 



Ambystoma tigrinitm miwortiitm Baird. 



6. Length under 5 inches; bod) slender; dorsal fin restricted to tail; gills small; costal 

 grooves 16 or more. Pi.i iiioDoxTmAE. 



7. No groove from lip to nostril; no parasjihenoid teeth 8 



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