The amazing thing about the Gorgan Mountain Salamander, Paradactylodon gorganensis is also a major threat to this species – the adults of this salamander are only known to reside in a single pool in a cave that measures 100 m by 10 m at most. It is estimated that only about 100 breeding adults remain in this extremely confined range. However, larvae of this species can be found outside the cave in the stream flowing from it.
The Gorgan Mountain Salamander is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM because of its narrow range and increasing decline in its specialized habitat in the Shir-Abad Cave of northern Iran. The cave is often disturbed by visitors. The Gorgan Mountain Salamander is an almost fully aquatic salamander, which can be identified by its rounded snout, large head, and long tail.
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Threats to Gorgan Mountain Salamanders include human encroachment on its highly specialized range and possible collection for the pet trade.
Since the Shir-Abad Cave and the surrounding area were designated a Natural National Monument by the Department of Environment of Gorgan and Gonbad-e-Kavous in 1998, the range of this species are within protected areas.
Submit your observations of this species to iNaturalist and they will appear on this map. Learn more about this species on Amphibiaweb.
More Amazing Amphibians here.
Produced in partnership with:
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How to become an Amazing Amphibians partner:
Outlined below are the roles and responsibilities for the 4 different levels of involvement for potential partners. If your organization would like to be a part of the Amazing Amphibians program in either of these capacities please email amazing@amphibians.org.
Senior Partner – These partners will help with multiple aspects of the program, help facilitate the completion of several species profiles, publicize each Amazing Amphibian and will likely have a landing page for the program on their website. This level of partner will be leading in using their communication channels to gather additional information for the program such as images and data points for iNaturalist.
Strategic Partner – These partners will play an active role in creating species profiles, submitting at least three species profiles per year and actively use their social network to publicize each Amazing Amphibian. This level of partner will be active in using their communication channels to gather additional information for the program such as images and data points for iNaturalist.
Focal Partner – Partners tend to be active in a limited geographic area. This partner will submit at least one regional species profile per year and use their social network to publicize each Amazing Amphibian. This level of partner will be involved in using their communication channels to gather additional information at a regional level for the program such as images and data points for iNaturalist.
Affiliate – These partners are interested in promoting the program but might not be in a position to provide profiles. These partners will publicize each Amazing Amphibian through the social media outlets.
