{{Short description|Species of amphibian}} {{Speciesbox | name = | image = | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 |status_ref=<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group |date=2014 |title=''Plethodon electromorphus'' |volume=2014 |article-number=e.T59338A56366748 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T59338A56366748.en |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref> |genus=Plethodon |species=electromorphus |authority = Highton, 1999 | synonyms = }}

thumb | right | Northern Ravine Salamander specimen The '''northern ravine salamander''' ('''''Plethodon electromorphus''''') is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. The species is endemic to the United States.

==Geographic range== The northern ravine salamander has been found in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021"/>

==Habitat== The natural habitats of ''P. electromorphus'' are temperate forests and rocky areas.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021"/>

==Conservation status== The species ''P. electromorphus'' is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.<ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021" />

==Description== The northern ravine salamander is a small terrestrial salamander, 7.5–11.5&nbsp;cm (3.0–4.5&nbsp;in) in total length. It is elongated, slender, and short-legged. Its coloration is brown to nearly black, sprinkled with minute silvery white and bronzy or brassy specks. It has very small, irregular white blotches on the lower sides, and a virtually plain dark belly with a lightly mottled chin.<ref name=Powell>{{cite book|last=Powell|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Powell (herpetologist)|last2=Conant|first2=Roger|author2-link=Roger Conant (herpetologist)|last3=Collins|first3=Joseph T.|author3-link=Joseph T. Collins|title= Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Fourth Edition |year=2016|publisher= Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|location=Boston and New York|isbn= 978-0-544-12997-9|page=81}}</ref>

==Taxonomy== The northern ravine salamander was previously considered to be a part of ''Plethodon richmondi'' (southern ravine salamander). Electrophoresis, from which the specific name ''electromorphu''s is derived, was used to distinguish them.<ref>Highton R (1999). "Hybridization in the Contact Zone between ''Plethodon richmondi'' and ''Plethodon electromorphus'' in Northern Kentucky". ''Herpetologica'' '''55''' (1): 91-105.</ref>

==Behavior== The northern ravine salamander is less aggressive than the more widespread red-backed salamander (''Plethodon cinereus'').<ref>Deitloff, Jennifer; Church, James O.; Adams, Dean C.; Jaeger, Robert G. (2009). "Interspecific Agonistic Behaviors in a Salamander Community: Implications for Alpha Selection". ''Herpetologica'' '''65''' (2): 174–182.</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== *Highton R (1999). "Geographic protein variation and speciation in the salamanders of the ''Plethodon cinereus'' group with the description of two new species". ''Herpetologica'' '''55''' (1): 43–90. (''Plethodon electromorphus'', new species).

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Category:Plethodon Category:Amphibians of the United States Category:Amphibians described in 1999 Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot

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