Herpetofauna: One Life's List

Plethodon serratus
Southern Redback Salamander

Washington Co., Missouri

According to my old 1st edition of Conant's Field Guide, the salamanders I found back there in 1976 were Redbacks, Plethodon cinereus.  That year, they were being renamed as Southern Redbacks, based on genetic differences that matter to some, but not to others.  I dutifully record them here - I am neither splitter nor lumper, just a simple Life Lister.  They certainly look a lot like Redbacks.

At left is a specimen from Mingo Swamp in southeastern Missouri.