Ambystoma barbouri (Kraus & Petranka,
1989) Streamside Salamander
(A.
barbouri gallery)
Physical Description
 Ambystoma barbouri are close relatives to A. texanum, and are very similar in appearance, with
small, rounded snouts. The dorsum of Ambystoma barbouri is light gray to dark brown with tan or lighter gray streaks. The
ventral side is usually slightly lighter than the dorsum, with lighter colored blotches. Adults can reach
4-7 inches from the
snout to the tip of the tail, with 14 or 15 costal grooves. Males are slightly smaller than females.
Adult female populations in southwestern Ohio populations are approximately
8% longer than males.
Distribution & Natural Habitat
Ambystoma barbouri are found in central Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia, with isolated
populations in Kentucky. Populations are found in or near Russell County,
Kentucky; Davidson, Jackson, and Rutherford Counties, Tennessee; and
in Wayne Co., West Virginia. Hybrid barbouri-texanum are found in Washington Co, Ohio.
Adults are found in deciduous forests and rolling hills, with most
populations restricted to Limestone areas.
Ambystoma barbouri inhabit deciduous forests, usually in areas with
limestone bedrock. This species may also be found under rocks, logs, leaf
litter, or other such hiding places.
Breeding
Mating occurs in fish-less, shallow waters. A preference for muddy, or murky bodies of water has been observed.
Adults migrate to breeding areas after the first heavy rains of the season, in mid September through November
(the exact times vary with different habitats). Unlike A. texanum, A.
barbouri tend to breed in streams rather than still ponds.
Courtship consists of the male nudging the females cloaca, and then depositing a spermatophore a few
centimeters away. While the male may repeat this process several times, the female will remain uninterested
during courtship, and will only pick up a spermatophore after being actively courted.
One to Two days after mating, the female will deposit between 5 and 40 eggs in small masses or
strings to submerged vegetation. The eggs are approximately 2mm in diameter, and will hatch after 9-16 days,
depending on the location of the species.
Aquatic larval specimens usually begin metamorphosis the following February through May, and
occasionally earlier or later. Upon metamorphosis, the juvenile salamanders are approximately 35-40mm, and
will begin emerging onto land to seek out underground homes. Juveniles become sexually mature in the second or third year of
life.
Misc. Notes
Ambystoma barbouri and Ambystoma texanum, a close relative, were
at once considered the same species.
References
Behler, John L., and F. Wayne King. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians.
New York: Knopf, 1979, 1996.
Center for North American Herpetology. (2003).
http://www.cnah.org/
(Accessed: 2000).
Frost, Darrel & AMNH. Amphibian Species of the World 3.0, an Online
Reference. American Museum of Natural History.
http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.php.
(Accessed: 2004).
Nature Serve Explorer (Database). Nature Serve.
http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/index.htm
(Accessed: 2000-2003).
Obst, Fritz Jugen, Udo Jacob, and K. Richter. Completely Illustrated Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Terrarium.
Neptune City, NY: T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1989.
Petranka, James W. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, 1998.
Phillips, C.A., G. Suau, and A.R. Templeton. 2000. Effects of Holocene
climate fluctuations on mitochondrial DNA variation in the ringed salamander,
Ambystoma annulatum. Copeia 2000: 542-545.
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