台灣山椒魚（Taiwan Salamander）

Description:

Shorter than other Taiwanese species except Hynobius fuca, around 10 cm in total length (Lai & Lue, 2008). The interior line of vomerine teeth is very long, exceeding the posterior margin of eye (Fei et al., 2006). 11 to 12 costal grooves (Lai & Lue, 2008). Most specimens have four toes on hind limb. Tail stout and short. Tail tip pointed. Dorsal color is yellowish brown with irregular dark blotches or vice versa (i.e., dark brown with yellow to golden blotches). Venter has dark small spots (Fei et al., 2006).

Habitat:

Hynobius formosanus occurs from the Central Mountain Range to the northern Central and to the Syueshan Mountain ranges of Taiwan, at elevations from 2,300 to 2,900 m. It is partly sympatric with H. sonani (between Mt. Hohuan and Mt. Bilu); H. formosanus and H. glacialis are parapatric, with the former at lower elevations and latter at higher ranges (Lai & Lue, 2008; Chang, 2010).

Notes:

There are Hynobius live in Taiwan is a very special thing. Taiwan is in sub-tropic range. However, most Hynobius live in temperate range. Actually Taiwan is the most south place where Hynobius distribute. Taiwan Salamander is unique because of those little golden spots.