Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: SALAMANDER, GROTTO

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AMPHIBIA

Order: CAUDATA

Family: PLETHODONTIDAE

Genus: EURYCEA

Species: SPELAEUS

Taxonomic Authority: STEJNEGER

Taxonomy References: 015 , 002 , 017

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S2S3
GLOBAL RANK G4

Status References: 003 , 014

Habitat Summary

"Occur in cave streams and springs with gravel substrate."

Primary Habitat: "Cave"

References: 001 , 006

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs in the Ozark plateau *01*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BARRY BENTON BARTON ADAIR
CAMDEN BUTLER BOLLINGER ANDREW
CARTER CEDAR COLE ATCHISON
CHRISTIAN DADE FRANKLIN AUDRAIN
CRAWFORD GASCONADE HENRY BATES
DALLAS HICKORY HOWARD BOONE
DENT IRON MADISON BUCHANAN
DOUGLAS MARIES MONITEAU CALDWELL
GREENE MILLER OSAGE CALLAWAY
HOWELL MORGAN STODDARD CAPE GIRARDEAU
JASPER POLK VERNON CARROLL
LACLEDE ST. CLAIR CASS
LAWRENCE WASHINGTON CHARITON
MCDONALD CLARK
NEWTON CLAY
OREGON CLINTON
OZARK COOPER
PHELPS DAVIESS
PULASKI DEKALB
RIPLEY DUNKLIN
SHANNON GENTRY
STONE GRUNDY
TANEY HARRISON
TEXAS HOLT
WAYNE JACKSON
WEBSTER JEFFERSON
WRIGHT JOHNSON
KNOX
LAFAYETTE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MARION
MERCER
MISSISSIPPI
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
NEW MADRID
NODAWAY
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PIKE
PLATTE
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHELBY
ST. CHARLES
ST. FRANCOIS
ST. LOUIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
SULLIVAN
WARREN
WORTH

References for distribution: 018 , 001 , 014 , 016 , 013 , 020 , 021 , 019

Distribution by Watersheds

Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
Sac R.
Pomme De Terre R.
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Niangua R.
Osage R. from Bagnell Dam to Mo. R.
Gasconade R. from Headwaters to Big Piney R.
Big Piney R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
White R. above Tablerock Dam
James R.
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
North Fork White R.
Black R.
Current R.
Warm Fork Spring R. and South Fork
Eleven Point R.
Lost Creek
Spring R.
Indian Creek

Comments: "Likely to occur in listed units, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Big Rivers: Lower Mississippi
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial/Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

"See Comments"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 006

Habitat Types:

Limestone Bluff and Cave

References for Habitat Types: 001 , 004 , 006

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Caves
Effluent Cave
Influent Cave
Wet Pit Cave

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 001 , 008 , 009 , 012

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Coleoptera (beetles); Larva stage
Trichoptera (caddisflies); Larva stage
Lepidoptera (butterflies); Larva stage
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Larva stage
Caudata (salamanders, newts, mudpuppies, sirens); Larva stage
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Larva stage
Plecoptera (stoneflies); Larva stage
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Pupa stage
Hymenoptera (sawflies, ants, wasps, bees); Not Specified
Amphibians; Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Arthropods; Not Specified
Oligochaetes (earthworms); Not Specified
Molluscs; Not Specified
Copepods (Cyclops, Calanus); Not Specified
Malacostraca (lobster, shrimp, crayfish, crabs); Not Specified
Snails; Not Specified
Chilopods (centipedes); Not Specified
Diplopods (millipedes); Not Specified
Arachnids (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, daddy longlegs); Not Specified
Crustaceans; Not Specified
Ostracods (Eucypris); Not Specified
Coleoptera (beetles); Adult Stage
Lepidoptera (butterflies); Adult Stage
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Adult Stage
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Adult Stage
Plecoptera (stoneflies); Adult Stage

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits: 001 , 007 , 008

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Larva stage
Coleoptera (beetles); Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Terrestrial Insects; Not Specified
Arthropods; Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Adult Stage

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 001 , 006 , 007

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Bottom type: gravel
Cave springs
Elevation specified in comments(00240)
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: cave streams
Natural features: caves, wet

References for feeding larvae niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009 , 012

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Bottom type: gravel
Cave springs
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: cave streams
Natural features: caves, wet

References for resting Larvae niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009 , 012

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Bottom type: gravel
Cave springs
Inland wetlands: cave streams
Natural features: caves, wet

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009 , 012

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Cave springs

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009 , 012

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Bottom type: gravel
Cave springs
Seeps/springs
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: cave streams
Natural features: caves, wet

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Bottom type: gravel
Cave springs
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: cave streams
Natural features: caves, wet

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009 , 012

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Bottom type: gravel
Cave springs
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Inland wetlands: cave streams
Natural features: caves, wet

References for resting adult niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009 , 012

Niche Requirement Summary

Bottom type: gravel
Cave springs
Elevation specified in comments(00240)
Inland wetlands: cave streams
Inland wetlands: spring branch
Inland wetlands: spring outlet
Natural features: caves, wet
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Seeps/springs
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
012 Spawn in cave streams *01,08*
005 Forage in caves *10*
007 Breed late May-early August *06*
034 Only occurs in wet caves. Larvae occasionally found in streams which flow out of caves *01*
035 Parasites include cestodes *11*
099 Is the only species of blind salamander that lives in Missouri *01*. Larvae transform in 2-3 years *01*. Populations reach highest numbers April-July *06*. Some populations are neotenic *10*

Life History Information

Territoriality: non-territorial
Dispersion: clumped dispersion
Limiting factors specified in comments(034)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: stalking
Foraging sites specified in comments(005)
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Mating system: polygyny
Duration of pair bond: no pair bond formed
Spawning site specified in comments(012)
Parental care of young: no care

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
012 Spawn in cave streams *01,08*
005 Forage in caves *10*
007 Breed late May-early August *06*
034 Only occurs in wet caves. Larvae occasionally found in streams which flow out of caves *01*
035 Parasites include cestodes *11*
099 Is the only species of blind salamander that lives in Missouri *01*. Larvae transform in 2-3 years *01*. Populations reach highest numbers April-July *06*. Some populations are neotenic *10*

References for life history: 001 , 006 , 010 , 011 , 012

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Protect caves from human disturbance

Beneficial Management References: 001 , 010

Adverse Managment Practices:

Adverse Management References: 010

Comments on Management:
Beneficial to maintain/protect wet caves *01,04*

References for Management Comments: 001 , 010

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Johnson, T.R. 2000. The Amphibians And Reptiles Of Missouri, 2nd. Ed. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 400 Pp.
002 Unpb Checklist Of Missouri Amphibians. T.R. Johnson, Mo Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573)-751-4115
003 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
004 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
005 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
006 Brandon, R.A. 1971. Correlation Of Seasonal Abundance With Feeding And Reproductive Activity In The Grotto Salamander (Typlotriton Spelaeus). Amer. Midl. Nat. 86:93-100.
007 Smith, P.W. 1948. Food Habits Of Cave-Dwelling Amphibians. Herpetologica 4:205-208.
008 Rudolph, D.C. 1978. Aspects Of The Larval Ecology Of Five Plethodontid Salamanders Of The Western Ozarks. Amer. Midl. Nat. 100(1):141-159.
009 Hendricks, L.J. and J. Keger. 1958. An Unusual Population Of A Blind Cave Salamander And Its Fluctuation During One Year. Herpetologica 14(1):41-43.
010 Unpb Johnson, T.R. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City Mo 65102. (573-751-4115)
011 Smith, P.W. 1948. A Cestode Infestation In Typhlotriton. Herpetologica 4(4):152.
012 Unpb Dundee, H.A. 1958. Habitat Selection By Aquatic Plethodontid Salamanders Of The Ozarks, With Studies On The Life Histories. Ph.D. Diss. Univ. Of Mich. 185 Pp.
013 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
014 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
015 Collins, J.T. (Ed.). 1990. Standard Common And Current Scientifc Names For North American Amphibians And Reptiles, 3rd Ed. Soc. For The Study Of Amphibians and Reptiles, Herp. Cir. No. 19. 41 Pp.
016 Daniel, R.E. and B.S. Edmond. 2002. Revised county distribution maps of amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 15:16-38.
017 Crother, B.I. (Ed.). 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding (6th ed.). Society for the study of amphibians and reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 37.
018 Daniel, R.E., B.S. Edmond and J.T. Briggler. 2003. New and previously unreported herpetological records from Missouri for 2003. Missouri Herpetol. Assoc. Newsletter 16: 11-15.
019 Daniel, Richard E., Brian S. Edmond and Jeffrey T. Briggler. 2005. New herpetological records from Missouri for 2005. MO Herpetol. Assoc. Newsletter 18:8-11.
020 Daniel, R.E., B.S. Edmond and J.T. Briggler. 2007. New Herpetological Records from Missouri for 2006. Missouri Herpetological Association Newsletter 20:10-13.
021 Daniel, Richard E., Brian S. Edmond and Jeffrey T. Briggler. 2020. New and previously unreported herpetological distribution records for Missouri in 2020. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 33:3-11.