Dicamptodon aterrimus
(Cope, 1868)
DI-kamp-toh-don — ah-TAIR-ih-mus
(, Museum Voucher)
(, Observation)
(, Literature Record),
(, Citizen Science),
( Fossil)
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Occurrences:; 74 Total; 33 Museum; 41 Other
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Range maps are based on curated specimens and provided gratis by CNAH. - (Created by Travis W. Taggart; Version: 2023.10.03.08.44.24)
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Taxonomic Etymology:
A giant salamander with exceptionally dark, almost black coloration.
Dicamptodon — From Greek di- (“two”), kamptos (καμπτός), “bent” or “flexed,” and odous/odontos (ὀδούς), “tooth.” The name likely refers to a characteristic of the dentition, such as the two types or positions of teeth.
aterrimus — From Latin ater, “black,” with the superlative suffix -rimus, meaning “very black” or “deep black.” Refers to the species’ nearly black, melanistic coloration.