Family: Plethodontidae, Lungless Salamanders view all from this family
Description 4-8 7/8" (10.2-22.7 cm). Cave-dwelling "gyro" that retains its larval characteristics. Bright-red external gills; small lidless eyes; large tail fin. Snout broad, turned up at tip. Stout body ranges from nearly white to dark brown with spots. Costal grooves, 17-19.
Subspecies Pale Salamander (G. p. palleucus), pinkish, without dark spotting; se. edge of Cumberland Plateau, s. Tennessee and n. Alabama. (Has also been known as Sinking Cove Salamander.)
Big Mouth Cave Salamander (G. p. necturoides), brown to purplish with heavy spotting; Big Mouth Cave, Grundy County, Tennessee.
Breeding Poorly known.
Habitat Subterranean waters in caves.
Range Se. and c. Tennessee and n. Alabama.
Discussion The full range of this species is far from known. Although in nature the larvae never transform, they do so in the laboratory when treated with thyroxin. Food supply in caves is limited, hence the young grow slowly. The Berry Cave Salamander (Gyrinophilus gulolineatus) used to be considered a subspecies of Tennessee Cave Salamander.
