Lesson plan
Olm
Olms ( ) are the nine species in the genus Proteus. They are aquatic salamanders, and the only exclusively cave-dwelling chordate genus found in Europe. The genus is assigned to the family Proteidae, along with Necturus. In contrast to most amphibians, this genus is entirely aquatic; eating, sleeping, and breeding underwater. Living in caves found in the Dinaric Alps, the genus is endemic to the waters that flow underground through the extensive limestone bedrock of the karst of Central and Southeastern Europe in the basin of the Soča River ( ) near Trieste, Italy, southern Slovenia, southwestern Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Introduced populations are found near Vicenza, Italy, and Kranj, Slovenia. It was first mentioned in 1689 by the local naturalist Valvasor in his Glory of the Duchy of Carniola, who reported that, after heavy rains, the olms were washed up from the underground waters and were believed by local people to be a cave dragon's offspring. This genus of cave salamander is most notable for its adaptations to a life of complete darkness in its underground habitat. Olms have eyes that are undeveloped, leaving most species blind, while its other senses, particularly those of smell and hearing, are acutely developed. Most species also lack any pigmentation in their skin. Olms have three toes on its forelimbs, but only two toes on their hind feet.…
Article summary
Olms ( ) are the nine species in the genus Proteus. They are aquatic salamanders, and the only exclusively cave-dwelling chordate genus found in Europe. The genus is assigned to the family Proteidae, along with Necturus. In contrast to most amphibians, this genus is entirely aquatic; eating, sleeping, and breeding underwater. Living in caves found in the Dinaric Alps, the genus is endemic to the waters that flow underground through the extensive limestone bedrock of the karst of Central and Southeastern Europe in the basin of the Soča River ( ) near Trieste, Italy, southern Slovenia, southwestern Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Introduced populations are found near Vicenza, Italy, and Kranj, Slovenia. It was first mentioned in 1689 by the local naturalist Valvasor in his Glory of the Duchy of Carniola, who reported that, after heavy rains, the olms were washed up from the underground waters and were believed by local people to be a cave dragon's offspring. This genus of cave salamander is most notable for its adaptations to a life of complete darkness in its underground habitat. Olms have eyes that are undeveloped, leaving most species blind, while its other senses, particularly those of smell and hearing, are acutely developed. Most species also lack any pigmentation in their skin. Olms have three toes on its forelimbs, but only two toes on their hind feet.…
Key claims
- publication date: 1933 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
- release date: 2019 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- The record states that the publication date is "1933". What evidence would count against this claim?
- The record states that the release date is "2019". What evidence would count against this claim?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
- Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378404351
Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.