The Alabama Waterdog is a medium-sized perennibranch salamander

Salamander

Salamander is a common name of approximately 500 species of amphibians. They are typically characterized by a superficially lizard-like appearance, with their slender bodies, short noses, and long tails. All known fossils and extinct species fall under the order Caudata, while sometimes the extant...

 inhabiting rivers and streams of the south-eastern United States. It is listed as endangered in most states where it occurs.

Physical description

Necturus alabamensis is a medium-sized Necturus (15-22 cm) with four toes and a laterally compressed tail. Gills are permanent, bushy, and red. Typical adults exhibit a brown or black dorsum with minimal or no spotting, and the ventral side is white and often unspotted. With the exception of the Black Warrior River population, juveniles do not exhibit stripped larvae.

Distribution

The Alabama waterdog is found eastern Mississippi, Alabama, the Florida panhandle, and western Georgia. This species is becoming uncommon in many parts of its range because of habitat loss and predation by introduced fish.

Diet

N. alabamensis typically consumes invertebrates such as crayfish, amphipods, and insect larvae, as well as vertebrates such as small fish.

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of N. alabamensis is poorly understood. It is believed to be related to N. maculosus and N. beyeri

Necturus beyeri

The Gulf Coast Waterdog, Speckled Waterdog or Beyer’s Waterdog is a species of aquatic salamander native to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas in the United States.-Description:...

. It is known to hybridize with N. beyeri, though electrophoretical evidence suggests they are separate species. The Black Warrior River population of N. alabamenis is currently under review and may constitute its own species.