Jeju salamander
Encyclopedia
The 'Jeju salamander', also spelled Cheju salamander, Hynobius quelpaertensis, is a species of salamander
found on various islands and peninsulas off the southwestern coast of the Korean Peninsula
, including Jindo
, Geojedo, Jejudo, and Namhae
. It inhabits moist mountain forests.
Jeju salamanders are speckled brown in color. Adult males are 8–14 cm (3.1–5.5 in) in length, and adult females 7–11 cm (2.8–4.3 in). Males are also distinguished by their thick front legs and black coloration on their backs. This species mates from March to late April, laying eggs under small rocks and leaves in mountain pools.
The Jeju salamander was previously considered a subspecies of the Korean salamander
, and was classified as Hynobius leechii quelpaertensis.
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...
found on various islands and peninsulas off the southwestern coast of the Korean Peninsula
Korean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
, including Jindo
Jindo
Jindo may refer to:* Jindo Island, a South Korean island* Jindo County, a South Korean county, consisting largely of Jindo Island* Korea Jindo Dog, a breed of dog indigenous to Jindo Island...
, Geojedo, Jejudo, and Namhae
Namhae
Namhae County is a county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.- Geography :Namhae county covers an area of 357 km², covering the main islands of Namhae and Changseon, the smaller islands of Jodo, Hodo and Nodo, and 65 other uninhabited islets.Namhae county also features several peaks; Mangun...
. It inhabits moist mountain forests.
Jeju salamanders are speckled brown in color. Adult males are 8–14 cm (3.1–5.5 in) in length, and adult females 7–11 cm (2.8–4.3 in). Males are also distinguished by their thick front legs and black coloration on their backs. This species mates from March to late April, laying eggs under small rocks and leaves in mountain pools.
The Jeju salamander was previously considered a subspecies of the Korean salamander
Korean salamander
The Korean salamander is the most common species of salamander on the Korean peninsula, and is also found in adjacent portions of China and on Jeju Island...
, and was classified as Hynobius leechii quelpaertensis.
See also
- List of amphibians of Korea
- Korean salamanderKorean salamanderThe Korean salamander is the most common species of salamander on the Korean peninsula, and is also found in adjacent portions of China and on Jeju Island...