This species is paedomorphic (maintains its larval form (gills, coloration, enlarged tail, etc.; does not transform) in streams containing large chert gravel but metamorphoses in nearby streams containing poorly sorted, clastic material such as sandstone or siltstone. Deposits of large chert gravel provide loosely associated streambeds, which provide access to subsurface water during dry summer months.
The stream from Schermerhorn Cave to Shoal Creek (the only collection locality in Kansas) comprises chert gravel. If a Kansas population still exists, it would be expected to be paedomorphic. Typically 1 3/4 to 3 1/4 inches (44 to 83 mm) in total length. The record length throughout the range is 4 1/16 inches (102 mm) (Powell et al. 2016).
This species is known in Kansas from four larval specimens collected 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) south of Galena on 26 April 1967 by Patrick H. Ireland (Ireland, 1970), three of which are preserved (KU 153033-5). ). There are two records from upstream near Shoal Creek in Newton County, Missouri (CAS 13297: 30.8 km @ Williams (aka Hobo) Springs; UMC 6797: 38.3 km @ S8 T24N R31W) and several from the Nesosho/Spring River drainage south into Oklahoma (OUMNH 26749: 27.9 km; OSUS 6481: 32.1 km, + 4 others just a few km more distant).
Cope (1889) reported a specimen (Spelerpes multiplicatus) of this species "which was taken in southern Kansas" sent to him by Francis W. Cragin. A catalog number for the specimen was not cited, and Smith (1934) later reported that it was subsequently lost. Dunn (1926) mentions the specimen reported by Cope (1889) but does not attempt to plot it on his distribution map.
According to Rundquist and Collins (1977), the locality cataloged by Ireland (1970) for E. multiplicata griseogaster (3 mi S Galena) was misreported due to concern for the preservation of the habitat and species in the state. Still, a valid collection site [=Schermerhorn Park cave] does exist (P. H. Ireland, pers. comm. ibid.).
Inhabits cold, clear streams, especially those from caves. In streams with a gravelly bed, they are often neotenic and spend their entire lives among the interstitial cavities between the gravel.
Populations that occupy sections of streams that have bedrock bottoms will often transform. Until recently, these transforming populations were confused with the Many-ribbed Salamander (Eurycea multiplicata), which occurs in the Ouachita Mountains.
References
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