The Plethodontidae is the largest family of salamanders. It contains 27 genera and nearly 240 species. The most distinctive feature of plethodontids is the absence of lungs and gills in all adults (Noble, 1931). Plethodontids use the skin and buccopharynx as respiratory organs (Gatz et al. 1975). Relatively small size, the absence of a larval stage (Feder 1983), and an attenuate body form with a high ratio of external surface to body mass (Beckenbach, 1975) are some other common features. However, there are some plethodontids that lack some or all of these features. It should also be noted that there are salamanders outside the Plethodontidae family which are lungless.
For all interested systemitists, Plethodontids are classified as a monophyletic group based on the presence of an opercularis muscle formed entirely or in part from the cucullaris and the presence of a nasolabial groove in transformed adults (Lombard and Wake, 1986).
Photo courtesy of Dr. ME Dorcas
