90 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol. 27 
Batrachoseps attenuatus, Stephens (1921, p. 59). In San Diego County. 
Batrachoseps attenuatus, Snyder (1923, pp. 86-88, 2 figs.). Eggs and 
development at Palo Alto. 
Batrachoseps attenuatus, Grinnell and Storer (1924, p. 654). At Snelling, 
Merced County; eggs. 
Diagnosis. — Size small, total length up to 130 millimeters (5% 
inches) ; body worm-like, greatest diameter less than 10 millimeters; 
limbs very small, digits 4 on each foot; costal folds 19 (rarely 18 or 
20) ; naso-labial groove present; general coloration everywhere black, 
usually with broad, straight margined reddish brown stripe along 
dorsal surface. 
Comparisons. — Distinguished from all other California salaman- 
ders (except other species of Batrachoseps) by slender worm-like form 
of body, reduced size of limbs, presence of only 4 digits on hind foot 
and costal folds numbering more than 15 between axilla and groin; 
from Batrachoseps major by 19 instead of 18 costal folds, by presence 
of dark line along side of body, and by dark instead of yellowish 
undersurface ; from B. padficus by 19 instead of 16 (15 or 17) costal 
folds, smaller size of orbit, less broad head and blackish instead of 
brownish coloration of undersurface ; from B. catalinae by larger size, 
better development of inner digit on each foot, and darker coloration 
of ventral surface. 
Description. — Body slender, worm-like, head not wider than body, 
limbs reduced, tail exceeding body in length; head oval or bluntly 
oval in outline from above; muzzle short, thick in profile; external 
nares subterminal, below canthus rostralis, directed dorsally; naso- 
labial groove exceedingly minute ; canthus rostralis slightly longer 
than orbit ; eyes large, protruding from top of head, interorbital space 
about two-thirds length of orbit, sometimes with shallow furrows ; 
head not wider than body, nearly as deep (thick) as wide; neck region 
scarcely constricted; lower jaw acutely oval in outline; gular fold 
slight; two or three transverse grooves on neck, connected with orbit 
by lengthwise furrow on side of neck ; limbs all very short and slender ; 
length of limbs not more than greatest diameter of body ; free portion 
of upper arm slightly longer than forearm ; palm small ; digits 4, short, 
blunt ended, in order of decreasing length 3, 2, 4, 1 ; body slender, 
cylindric, scarcely swollen at midlength; mid-dorsal groove distinct; 
costal folds 19, well indicated; hind limb scarcely larger than fore 
limb ; femur about as long as tibia ; toes 4 in number, third longest, 
second and fourth about equal, first much shorter ; tail (when un- 
broken) exceeding body in length, slightly wider than high at base, 
tapering (if not injured and reproduced) evenly to end, marked 
laterally with numerous transverse grooves. 
Tongue thin, rounded, its diameter about half width of mouth at 
angle of jaws, pediceled and freely protrusible ; maxillary teeth rela- 
tively large, scattered; internal nares well up in anterior part of 
mouth and close to margin of jaw ; vomerine teeth in two separate but 
convergent patches posterior to internal nares; parasphenoid teeth 
separated from vomerine teeth by short interval, in one broad patch 
widest posteriorly. Surfaces everywhere smooth. 
