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• Taxonomy
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• Distribution
• Habitat Associations
• Food Habits
• Niche Requirements
• Life History Information
• Management
• References

Taxonomy

Common Name: AMPHIUMA, THREE-TOED

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AMPHIBIA

Order: CAUDATA

Family: AMPHIUMIDAE

Genus: AMPHIUMA

Species: TRIDACTYLUM

Taxonomic Authority: CUVIER

Taxonomy References: 001 , 021 , 017

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S2
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 003 , 006 , 016 , 020

Habitat Summary

"Occurs in swamps, sloughs, ditches, streams, ponds, lakes with little or no current and shallow water."

Primary Habitat: "Aquatic matrix"

References: 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 009

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs in southeast Missouri *02*"

County Occurance

County Occurence

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

References for distribution: 002 , 003 , 014 , 019 , 018 , 022

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
Miss R. from Ohio R. to Arkansas Border
St. John's Ditch and Blue Ditch
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Little R.
Area Bordered by Black R. and St. Francis R. South of Quintan, MO
Black R.
Current R.

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

Distribution by Ecoregions

Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial/Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Lacustrine
Palustrine
Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Lacustrine"
"Palustrine"
"Palustrine", "Forested, broad-leaved deciduous",
"Palustrine", "Forested, needle-leaved deciduous",
"Riverine, lower perennial", "Aquatic bed, unknown submergent", ,
"Riverine, lower perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, mud"
"Riverine, lower perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, organic"

References for Aquatic Associations: 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 009

Habitat Types:

Swamp
Pond, Lake, Reservoir
Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 007

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Wetland
Swamps
Swamp
Pond Swamp
Shrub Swamp
Pond Shrub Swamp

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 002 , 003

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
"Diet presumed to be similar to adult, but smaller organisms eate"

References for larval food habits: 003

Juvenile Food Habits

Juvenile diet similar to adult's; Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
"Diet presumed to be similar to adult, but smaller organisms eate"

References Juvenile Food Habits 003

Adult Food Habits

Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Larva stage
Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Not Specified
Amphibians; Not Specified
Caudata (salamanders, newts, mudpuppies, sirens); Not Specified
Salientia (frogs, toads, peepers, tree frogs); Not Specified
Reptiles; Not Specified
Serpentes (snakes); Not Specified
Malacostraca (lobster, shrimp, crayfish, crabs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Terrestrial Insects; Not Specified
Oligochaetes (earthworms); Not Specified
Molluscs; Not Specified
Snails; Not Specified
Crustaceans; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 002 , 004 , 005 , 009

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Downed logs

References for egg niches requirements: 003

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type: rooted aquatic vegetation
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Water depth: shallow
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir

References for feeding larvae niche requirements: 002 , 004 , 005 , 009

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type: rooted aquatic vegetation
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Water depth: shallow
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir

References for resting Larvae niche requirements: 002 , 004 , 005 , 009

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type: rooted aquatic vegetation
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Water depth: shallow
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 002 , 004 , 005 , 009

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Underwater cover: log
Underwater cover: organic debris
Underwater cover specified in comments(00105)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 002 , 004 , 005 , 009

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: organic debris
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Water level: semipermanently flooded
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 009

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type: rooted aquatic vegetation
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Water depth: shallow
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 002 , 004 , 005 , 009

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type: rooted aquatic vegetation
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Water depth: shallow
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir

References for resting adult niche requirements: 002 , 004 , 005 , 009

Niche Requirement Summary

Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type: rooted aquatic vegetation
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Downed logs
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: swamp
Underwater cover specified in comments(00105)
Underwater cover: log
Underwater cover: organic debris
Underwater cover: undercut bank
Water depth: shallow
Water level: semipermanently flooded
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)

Comments about Life History:

Code	Comment
004	Rapid strike captures prey.*09*
012	Eggs are laid on land, usually under a rotten log. Eggs do not develop until they have been covered with water from autumn rains. *15*
019	May have 2-year reproductive cycle.*09*
007	Breed January-March in LA and TN *09,04*. In LA, eggs deposited in May and June *09*. Fertilization may follow copulation by 3-4 months.*04*. Little known about breeding habits in mo.*02*
018	Clutch averages 200 eggs.*02* 42-131 eggs in la.*09*
022	Females mature at body length 33 cm.*09*
028	Adults do not seem to move far from home burrow, except possibly during breeding season.*09*
030	Primarily nocturnal, when 1-3" water present, emerge from burrows 3-4 hours after sunset and feed, activity peaks about 10-12pm.*09*
035	Rainfall regulates movements, growth, and breeding cycle of LA population *09*. Hatchlings are susceptible to currents in shallow ditches *09*. Predators include western mud snake *15*
099	During heavy rainfall, may move over land *09*. Seem to remain near water table, moving up and down in burrows as necessary for flooding, must reach water surface to respire *09*. Driving rain seems stimulus for courtship activity *09*. Abundance of species in any particular area may be attributed to loose soil for easy burrowing, a high water table, and high food availability *09*

Life History Information

Home range size specified in comments(028)
Periodicity specified in comments(030)
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 specified in comments(004)
Foraging sites: water
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Duration of pair bond: no pair bond formed
Display site: water
Spawning site specified in comments(012)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Number of broods/litters per year specified in comments(019)
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)

Comments about Life History:

Code	Comment
004	Rapid strike captures prey.*09*
012	Eggs are laid on land, usually under a rotten log. Eggs do not develop until they have been covered with water from autumn rains. *15*
019	May have 2-year reproductive cycle.*09*
007	Breed January-March in LA and TN *09,04*. In LA, eggs deposited in May and June *09*. Fertilization may follow copulation by 3-4 months.*04*. Little known about breeding habits in mo.*02*
018	Clutch averages 200 eggs.*02* 42-131 eggs in la.*09*
022	Females mature at body length 33 cm.*09*
028	Adults do not seem to move far from home burrow, except possibly during breeding season.*09*
030	Primarily nocturnal, when 1-3" water present, emerge from burrows 3-4 hours after sunset and feed, activity peaks about 10-12pm.*09*
035	Rainfall regulates movements, growth, and breeding cycle of LA population *09*. Hatchlings are susceptible to currents in shallow ditches *09*. Predators include western mud snake *15*
099	During heavy rainfall, may move over land *09*. Seem to remain near water table, moving up and down in burrows as necessary for flooding, must reach water surface to respire *09*. Driving rain seems stimulus for courtship activity *09*. Abundance of species in any particular area may be attributed to loose soil for easy burrowing, a high water table, and high food availability *09*

References for life history: 002 , 003 , 004 , 005 , 009 , 015

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - develop/maintain lakes/ponds
Water - develop/maintain wetlands
Water - control pollution (thermal, physical, chemical)
Water - develop/maintain submerged brush/timber/debris, etc.

Beneficial Management References: 002 , 003 , 009

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - application of herbicides
Water - application of pesticides
Water - application of insecticides
Water - application of fertilizer - organic
Water - application of fertilizer - inorganic
Water - dredging and filling
Water - control water levels
Water - control aquatic plants
Water - navigational improvements (channelization, dams, locks)
Water - stream channelization
Water - drainage of wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes

Adverse Management References: 002 , 003 , 009

Comments on Management:

References for Management Comments:

References

Reference Code	Citation
001	Unpb Missouri Department Of Conservation. Checklist Of Missouri Amphibians And Reptiles. Po Box 180. Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
002	Johnson, T.R. 2000. The Amphibians And Reptiles Of Missouri, 2nd. Ed. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 400 Pp.
003	Unpb Johnson, T.R. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City Mo 65102. (573-751-4115)
004	Baker, C.L. 1945. The Natural History And Morphology Of Amphiumae. J. Tenn. Acad. Sci. 20:55-91.
005	Conant, R. 1975. A Field Guide To Reptiles And Amphibians Of Eastern And Central North America, 2nd Ed. Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston 429pp
006	The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
007	Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
008	Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
009	Cagle, F.R. 1948. Observations On A Population Of The Salamander Amphiuma Tridactylum Cuiver. Ecology 29:479-491.
014	Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
015	Johnson, T.R. 2000. The Amphibians And Reptiles Of Missouri, 2nd. Ed. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 400 Pp.
016	The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
017	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.
018	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.
019	Powell, R., T.R. Johnson and D.D. Smith. 1995. New Records Of Amphibians And Reptiles In Missouri For 1995. Mo Herp. Assoc. Newsletter (8):9-12.
020	Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
021	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.
022	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.