Hydromantes platycephalus
(Camp, 1916)
HY-droh-MAN-teez — PLAT-ee-SEF-ah-lus
(, Museum Voucher)
(, Observation)
(, Literature Record),
(, Citizen Science),
( Fossil)
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Occurrences:; 687 Total; 588 Museum; 99 Other
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Range maps are based on curated specimens and provided gratis by CNAH. - (Created by Travis W. Taggart; Version: 2023.04.08.22.52.47)
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Taxonomic Etymology:
A broad-headed salamander native to high elevations in California.
Hydromantes — From Greek hydro- (ὕδωρ), “water,” and mantēs (μάντης), “seer” or “diviner.” While the exact etymology is obscure, it likely evokes a poetic sense of “water spirit” or “creature of wet places,” appropriate for this lungless, moisture-dependent genus.
platycephalus — From Greek platus (πλατύς), “broad,” and kephalē (κεφαλή), “head.” The name means “broad-headed,” referencing the species’ wide, flattened skull.