Plethodon hubrichti (Peaks of Otter Salamander) and Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Red-backed Salamander). Longevity.

Author(s)

Norman Reichenbach, Liberty UniversityFollow
Andrew Kniowski, Liberty UniversityFollow
Timothy R. Brophy, Liberty UniversityFollow
Cory Goff, Liberty UniversityFollow

Publication Date

3-2024

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Biology

Abstract

Salamanders have relatively long life spans, comparable to much larger endotherms, due to indefinite regenerative potential, minimal senescence, cancer resistance, and low metabolic rates (Cayuela et al. 2019. Proc. R. Soc. B 286:20191498; Yun 2021. Cell Dev. Biol. 9:689062). Plethodon species have survived from 4 to 32 years in the field or captivity (Snider and Bowler 1992. Longevity of Reptiles and Amphibians in North American Collections. 2nd ed. SSAR Herpetol. Circ. 21:1–40; Staub 2016. Copeia 2016:118–123). Methods used for determining salamander longevity include size distributions over time, capture-mark-recapture studies (CMR), skeletochronology, and direct observations in captivity (Staub 2016, op. cit.).

Recommended Citation

Reichenbach, N., A. Kniowski, T.R. Brophy, and C. Goff. 2024. Plethodon hubrichti (Peaks of Otter Salamander) and Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Red-backed Salamander). Longevity. Herpetological Review 55(1): 64-65.