Nantahala black-bellied salamander

The Nantahala black-bellied salamander or southern black-bellied salamander (Desmognathus amphileucus) is a species of lungless salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to the eastern United States, where it is only known from the southern Appalachian Mountains. ==Morphology==

Desmognathus amphileucus is a medium-sized salamander that can grow up to 18 centimeters. ==Distribution==

It is known from southwestern North Carolina, extreme western South Carolina, extreme southeastern Tennessee, and northeastern Georgia. It is restricted to the Blue Ridge Mountains subrange, with its range being roughly bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains to the north and the French Broad River to the east. Isolated populations are known from the Piedmont of Georgia and South Carolina that may have resulted from introductions via fishing bait buckets. ==Behavior==

The southern black-bellied salamander are mostly nocturnal but they will stay in a semi-active state under a cover object during the day. They will also avoid light. ==Predators==

Larval salamanders are predated on by fish and larger salamanders/larvae. == References ==