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Southern Two-lined Salamander

Overview:

Scientific Name: Eurycea cirrigera

Size: 2.5 – 3.75” (adult size)

Status: A recently identified inhabitant of Michigan. Limited knowledge about true range and population but assumed in peril given small, regionalized area. Further study is needed.

Michigan State Status: Special Concern

MDNR Wildlife Action Plan Status: Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Habitat:

Found near flowing water and inhabit rocky brooks, spring seeps, and spring fed streams in moist forests.  

Conservation:

Although generally abundant in undeveloped areas throughout its distribution, the southern two-lined salamander faces increasing population declines due to urbanization and habitat fragmentation. In Michigan, the southern two-lined salamander has been given the designation of species of special concern as land use changes, timber harvest, and stream pollution continue to threaten their existence on the landscape.

Best Management:

Identify and protect quality two-lined salamander habitat containing extant populations. Riparian zones with adjacent moist woodland habitat are preferred. Avoid disturbing these areas but if harvest is necessary, maintain an understory and implement appropriate erosion control measures. If harvest operations are being conducted, harvest during late fall to early winter and consider various tree harvest techniques implemented on a rotation as opposed to clearcutting. Use coarse woody debris to create habitat structure and maintain the litter layer as well as understory vegetation to provide appropriate microclimate conditions. If vernal pools are present, do not impact the pool depression within a minimum of 100 feet and aim to protect an additional wider buffer of 600-1000 feet. Ensure and maintain habitat corridors between breeding sites and adjacent suitable habitat. If contaminants are present, implement vegetative buffer zones between the contaminated areas and aquatic system. Furthermore, identify and prevent non-point nutrient inputs and chemical runoff from entering the system. Provide egg laying structures by submerging finely brushed trees or bushes and ensure the presence of native aquatic plant communities. Additional aquatic structures may be placed in shallow water. 

Adult Coloration:

Broad yellow, greenish-yellow or tan stripe running from the eyes to the tail bordered by a narrow black stripe that can break up into dashes near the tail. Black spots or flecks are found between the stripes. The sides may be yellowish or mottled with dark pigment. The belly is yellow.  

Adult Characteristics:

Very small and slender salamander with tiny legs and a vertically compressed tail. 14 -16 coastal grooves (grooves between rib-like ridges that run down the sides of the body). Males have a prominent gland on the chin, whitish glands on the lower eyelid and, in some populations, downward projections of the naso-labial grooves (called cirri) especially during the breeding season.  

Typical lifespan in wild: unknown (up to 9 years in captivity) 

Breeding interval: annually  

Breeding season: March – May 

Range number of offspring: 10 – 96 

Average number of offspring: 43 

Range time to hatchling: 2 – 10 weeks (metamorphosis: 1 – 3 years) 

Average age at sexual/reproductive maturity (females): 1 – 3 years 

Average age at sexual/reproductive maturity (male): 1 – 3 years 

Diet: Adults primarily feed on crustaceans, mollusks, copepods, roaches, spiders, ticks, earthworms, isopods, millipedes, beetles, snails, springtails, flies, and hymenopterans. Larvae are known to prey on chironomids, as well as even other species of salamander larvae. 

Predators: Thrushes, Eastern Screech Owl, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout.

Larvae Characteristics:

Larvae are yellowish with greyish or brownish flecks on the head and back with an irregular dark stripe down each side which encloses six to nine light spots. The gills are light reddish-brown. Older larvae may develop a second row of light spots on each side.  

Species Confused With:

Unlikely to be confused with other Plethodontids (Red-backed Salamander and Four-toed Salamander) due to distinct pale-yellow coloration. 

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