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''Desmognathus'' is a
Tree of Life: Desmognathus
*
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of lungless salamander
Plethodontidae, or lungless salamanders, are a family of salamanders. With over 500 species, lungless salamanders are by far the largest family of salamanders in terms of their diversity. Most species are native to the Western Hemisphere, from B ...
s in the family Plethodontidae known as dusky salamanders. They range throughout the eastern United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
as far west as Texas
Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...
, and north to southeastern Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...
.
Characteristics
Species of the genus ''Desmognathus'' have a unique jaw-opening mechanism where the lower jaw is stationary and the skull swings open. There are additional stalked condyles, an atlanto-mandibular ligament, along with other skeletal and musculature features that have evolved to accompany this type of jaw-opening mechanism. Additionally, they are known to exhibit maternal care by brooding over their eggs.
Species
Thisgenus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
includes the following 39-40 species:
References
External links
Tree of Life: Desmognathus
*
Further reading
* Baird SF. 1850. Revision of the North American Tailed-Batrachia, with descriptions of new genera and species. ''J. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia'', Series 2, 1: 281–294. (''Desmognathus'', new genus, p. 282). Amphibian genera Amphibians of North America Taxa named by Spencer Fullerton Baird {{Plethodontidae-stub