Order Caudata Scientific name Eurycea Higher classification Lungless salamander | Phylum Chordata Family Plethodontidae Rank Genus | |
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Lower classifications Northern two‑lined salamander, Eurycea longicauda, Southern two‑lined salamander, Spotted‑tail salamander, Texas blind salamander | ||
Eurycea is a genus of salamanders native to North America. These salamanders are commonly referred to as brook salamanders.
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Taxonomy
The genus Eurycea was first described by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz in 1822, with a specimen of the spotted-tail salamander, Eurycea lucifuga, from Kentucky. The taxonomy of the genus is somewhat confusing, as many of the species within it are poorly studied and are only found in very restricted ranges, or deep within subterranean caverns. Several species have even been described several times by different researchers, and some are often considered to be morphologically different enough to warrant being placed into their own genera. A recent taxonomic revision moved the Georgia blind salamander to this genus, which makes Haideotriton a synonym of Eurycea [1].
Many sources also refer to several species of the genus as cave salamanders, due to their choice of habitat, or as blind salamanders, due to their reduced eyes, or the antiquated term for aquatic salamanders, Triton. Most species are from very isolated localities, so bear the name of the place the first specimen was found.
Species
This genus is composed of these 27 species: