Paghman stream salamander
| Paghman stream salamander | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Subclass: | Lissamphibia |
| Order: | Caudata |
| Family: | Hynobiidae |
| Genus: | Paradactylodon |
| Species: | P. mustersi |
| Binomial name | |
| Paradactylodon mustersi Smith, 1940 | |
The Paghman stream salamander or the Afghani brook salamander (Paradactylodon mustersi) is a salamander endemic to Afghanistan. It inhabits cool highland streams. The total population is estimated at 1,000–2,000 adults. It is only found in an area of 10 km2.
P. mustersi is known to reside in the Paghman Mountains in Afghanistan, where it lives in fast-running waters (the adults and the eggs or larvae in calmer, deeper water) which are formed from melting glaciers. Currently, it can only be found in cold water: it has only been found in water ranging from 0 to 14°C.
The males are larger than the females, with the largest about 18 cm in length. They are not very similar to other salamander species in many respects. They may look similar to salamander species, but unlike many others, the Paghman stream salamander can feed in water, they are found under rocks in the fast running water, and even catch prey on land. They have long tongues which they use to catch prey, and the adults prefer to catch prey larger than their own size.
The current population is unknown at this time, but older estimates numbered the salamanders from 1000 to 2000; quite possibly the numbers have gone down since the time of this count. They are expected to be found in the southern slopes of the Hindu Kush near Afghanistan. The population is declining due to the invasion of humans on their land. Irrigation systems disturb the salamanders' habitat. The more the land is being used by humans, the worse it gets for the Paghman stream salamander. To remain a part of Afghanistan's ecosystem, its habitat needs to be conserved.
References
- Smith. 1940. Paradactylodon mustersi. 2009 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 15 November 2009.
- C Michael Hogan (June 28, 2012). Peter Saundry, ed. "Ghorat-Hazarajat alpine meadow". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Washington DC: National Council for Science and the Environment. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- IUCN, Conservation International, and NatureServe, 2006. [www.globalamphibians.org Global Amphibian Assessment]