Identification HELP --- Is it a Dusky or a Two-Lined?

[steve]

Found some redbacked (im pretty sure LOL) around the forest and out of eight I found, this guy didn't quite "fit in". It caught my eye after some "good sleep" LOL. I've included many photos to help determine which sallie this is.

It was caught in NY state and I figured it's a Allegheny Mountain Dusky or a Northern Two-lined. Since I have 1 year old Two-lined already, I'm leaning toward the dusky theory. Please let me know which you think and why you think it. The only other two sallies in my range that look similiar are the four-toed (has five i seen) and the northern dusky, but just didn't quite fit.

Click Here for a LARGE(171,000K) closeup of the sallie.

 

[cg]

It`s a northern dusky (Desmognathus fuscus). There are several key things to look for when trying to distinguish them from the two lined salamander (eurycea bislineata). The dusky is generally a fairly stcky animal where as the two lined is a real slender sleek animal. Another key characteristic that you can see clearly in your pic, is the Pale line from the eye to the angle of the jaw, this is a main distinguishing characteristic for duskys. The two lined generally have a pretty obvious dark colored line running from each eye out onto the tail..

I also saw your other posts, just for referrence, the duskies that you find around rochester (northern, and mountain duskies) both lay their eggs on land under rocks and logs near water and when the larvae hatch, they wiggle down to the water.