Amphibians of North Carolina
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
« »
Plethodontidae Members:
NC Records

Eurycea chamberlaini - Chamberlain's Dwarf Salamander

Taxonomy
Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family: Plethodontidae Subfamily: Spelerpinae
Taxonomic Comments: Eurycea chamberlaini is a member of a species complex that was traditionally treated as a single species known as the Dwarf Salamander (E. quadridigitata). Members of this group are small salamanders that deviate from all other Eurycea species by having only four toes on each rear limb. Members of the complex occur throughout the southeastern US, from eastern Texas eastward across the Gulf Coast states, then northward to North Carolina. Recent molecular and morphological studies show that several ancient genetic lineages exist within E. quadridigitata sensu lato (Bonett et al. 2014, Harrison and Guttman 2003, Kozak et al. 2009, Lamb and Beamer 2012, Wray and Steppan 2016, Wray et al. 2017), with one western group being more related to the neotenic Eurycea species from the Edwards Plateau than to more eastern members of the species complex. These lineages have subsequently been recognized as five species. These include E. paludicola in eastern Texas, Louisiana, and southern Mississippi, Eurycea hillisi in Alabama, Georgia, and the panhandle of Florida, E. sphagnicola in southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle, E. chamberlaini in the Carolinas, and E. quadridigitata (sensu stricto) from Florida northward to North Carolina.
Species Comments:
Identification
Description: Chamberlain's Dwarf Salamander is a small, slender Eurycea that somewhat resembles a miniature two-lined salamander. This is the only Eurycea in North Carolina other than E. quadridigitata that has four toes on each hind foot. The dorsum has a broad bronze to yellowish brown stripe that is bordered by a narrow brown or black dorsolateral stripe on either side. The dorsolateral stripes are less conspicuous than in E. quadridigitata and extend from the head to the tip of the tail. Individuals sometimes have a faint herringbone pattern on the back, as well as a middorsal row of small black spots that extends down the back (Harrison and Guttman 2003). The venter and underside of the tail are bright yellow and unmarked. The tail becomes keeled towards the tip and comprises about 50-60% of the total length of the adults. The average SVL of the adults is approximately the same for males and females, and sexually active males have cirri and elongated, monocuspid teeth (Petranka 1998). The SVL of adults measured by Harrison and Guttman (2003) varied from 22-30 mm.

This species is most easily confused with E. quadridigitata, but differs in having a bright yellow venter, a slightly smaller average size, relatively longer limbs, fewer paravomerine teeth, and a greater average number of ovarian eggs (Harrison and Guttman 2003). In the field, this species is best distinguished from E. quadridigitata by its overall lighter color and bright yellow venter that is unmarked. In addition, the sides of the tail are lightly pigmented and contrast sharply with the dorsolateral stripes. Eurycea quadridigitata is generally darker overall, has wider dorsolateral stripes, and has narrow, whitish streaks or speckling along the lower sides of the body. The venter is silvery-gray, and the sides of the tail are darkly pigmented and do not contrast sharply with the dorsolateral stripes (Beane et al. 2010, Harrison and Guttma 2003). In North Carolina, specimens typically have only 16 costal grooves versus 18 for E. quadridigitata. These species tend to segregate geographically in North Carolina, with E. quadridigitata occurring in the two southernmost tiers of Coastal Plain counties, and E. chamberlaini occurring farther north.

The hatchlings are around 5.5-7.0 mm SVL and are light grayish-brown with light venters. They have a well developed dorsal fin that extends from the tail forward to near the mid-body, and usually have a series of light dorsal spots that can be arranged either symmetrically in pairs (typically around four pairs), or asymmetrically along the back. The spots become less prevalent with age and are often lost. The older larvae tend to develop pigment-free regions along the sides that resemble longitudinal streaks or dashes (Harrison and Guttman 2003).
Online Photos:    Google   iNaturalist
Observation Methods: Specimens are most easily found by searching cover objects, leaf litter, or moss mats near aquatic sites.
AmphibiaWeb Account
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution Comments: Eurycea chamberlaini is restricted to the Carolinas, including portions of the Piedmont and upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina. In North Carolina, it occurs in portions of the eastern Piedmont and western and central Coastal Plain.
Distribution Reference: Harrison and Guttman (2003); Wray et al. (2017)
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
GBIF Global Distribution
Key Habitat Requirements
Habitat: Unlike E. quadridigitata, this species appears to favor breeding sites with flowing water. Harrison and Guttman (2003) reported that 70% of the specimens they examined were collected near streams or seepage of spring outlets, whereas 30% were associated with floodplains or ponds. The specimens that Wray et al. (2017) collected during the breeding season were all associated with stream edges. Our records from North Carolina are from a variety of habitats and mostly from bottomland forests and their associated wetlands. Commonly used habitats include seepages, small woodland streams, bottomland swamp forests, the edges of cypress/gum swamps, and marshy areas along beaver ponds. These observations suggest that both lentic and lotic sites may be used for breeding. Specimens are commonly found in close proximity to water in leaf litter, under cover objects, or in moss mats in seepages.
See also Habitat Account for Wet-Mesic Forests with Seepages/Headwater Streams
Life History and Autecology
Breeding and Courtship: Very little is known about the life history of this species and a detailed life-history study is needed. In Barnwell County, SC at the Savannah River Site, both E. chamberlaini and E. quadridigitata appear to occur in similar habitats but apparently breed at somewhat different times, with the former species entering bucket traps at drift fences later in the fall (Harrison and Guttman 2003).
Reproductive Mode: Brimley (1923) found eggs in central North Carolina on 20 December and 1 February that were attached singly to submerged leaves in seepages near a marsh. Most eggs were scattered over the leaf litter singly, but groups of 3-6 were occasionally found on the same leaf. He found hatchlings in March.
Terrestrial Life History: The terrestrial life history is poorly documented. Brimley (1923) noted that he found adults from mid-October through late April in the Raleigh area, but they were only abundant during the breeding season. The adults were found in seepages and springs, and under logs and debris in damp low-grounds. As of 2022, almost all of our records are from October through mid-May, which suggests that the juveniles and adults move underground during the hottest summer months.
General Ecology
Adverse Environmental Impacts
Status in North Carolina
NHP State Rank: S4
Global Rank: G4

Photo Gallery for Eurycea chamberlaini - Chamberlain's Dwarf Salamander

7 photos are shown.

Recorded by: W. Morris
Wayne Co.		Recorded by: W. Morris
Wayne Co.
Recorded by: W. Morris
Wayne Co.		Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Recorded by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.		Recorded by: S. Fambrough
Beaufort Co.
Recorded by: S. Fambrough
Beaufort Co.