Near Threatened Amphibian Species - Amphibian Specialist Group

Near Threatened Amphibian Species 639are most often found on land but within a metre of water, or under rocks along small streams and under moss anddebris on vertical rock faces behind cascades. A major threat in this area is habitat loss and degradation due to thebuilding of second and retirement homes. This species is found in two protected areas: Frozen Head State NaturalArea Reserve and Obed National Scenic River.Bibliography: Anderson, J.A. and Tilley, S.G. (2003)Data Providers: Geoffrey HammersonDesmognathus aeneusBrown and Bishop, 1947SEEPAGE SALAMANDERThis species occurs in relatively isolated, localized populations in south-western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee,northern Georgia, and north-central Alabama, USA. In Alabama, an apparent hiatus exists between westernpopulations in the Fall Line Hills region and eastern populations in the Blue Ridge and adjacent piedmont regions,and an apparently disjunctive population is also present in the piedmont of north-eastern Georgia (Harrison 1992).This species occurs at up to 210-1,340m asl in the east, and as low as 30m asl in west-central Alabama. A recordfrom Transylvania County, North Carolina, is based on a misidentified Desmognathus wrighti. There are an estimated21-100 extant locations in North Carolina (H.W. LeGrand pers. comm.), while Redmond and Scott (1996) mapped 14collection sites in Tennessee. Williamson and Moulis (1994) mapped 52 collection locations in Georgia. There arepossibly 6-20 extant occurrences in Alabama (J.R. Bailey pers. comm.). It was recently discovered at two locationsin South Carolina (Livingston, Spencer and Stuart 1995), where the conditions of the occurrences were consideredgood, although these occurences have not been extensively surveyed (S.H. Bennett pers. comm.). The total adultpopulation size of this species is unknown. Overall, it is common to sometimes very common in undisturbed, suitablehabitat. However, it is sometimes not present in what seems to be suitable habitat. It was not considered rare by theScientific Council on Reptiles and Amphibians in North Carolina during the late 1980s (H.E. LeGrand pers. comm.). Inthe southern Appalachians, populations fluctuated over a 20-year period (early 1970s to early 1990s), with no apparentlong-term trend (Hairston and Wiley 1993). This species is declining in Alabama (J.R. Bailey pers. comm.), and possiblyalso in North Carolina (A.L. Braswell pers. comm.). It is listed in Tennessee as in need of management (Redmondand Scott 1996), and is believed to be stable in South Carolina (S.H. Bennett pers. comm.). It can be found beneathleaf-litter or surface debris on the ground in mixed hardwood forests near small creeks, springs, and seepage areas,and also occurs in damp shaded ravines. Females usually oviposit beneath clumps of moss or other objects within ornear seepages or in the vicinity of small streams. Development is direct, so there are no aquatic larvae. Outside thebreeding season these salamanders are usually found beneath leaf-litter on the banks of small streams or in the vicinityof seepage areas. They are seldom active on the surface and are probably not very adaptable to habitat degradation.A significant threat to this species is logging, which has evidently extirpated some Alabama populations (Folkerts1968). Southern populations are also vulnerable to intensive forest management practices such as clear-cutting. It ismoderately threatened in Alabama by conversion of hardwood forest to pine plantations (J.R. Bailey pers. comm.).This species does occur in several protected areas, but to assist its conservation forest buffers should also be leftaround seepages and headwater streams in areas scheduled for logging (Petranka 1998).Bibliography: Behler, J.L. and King, F.W. (1979), Blackburn, L., Nanjappa, P. and Lannoo, M.J. (2001), Folkerts, G.W. (1968), Frost, D.R.(1985), Hairston, N.G., Sr., and Wiley, R.H. (1993), Harrison, J.R. (1992), Livingston, P.G., Spencer, C.C. and Stuart, B.L. (1995), Martof, B.S. etal. (1980), Mount, R.H. (1975), Petranka, J.W. (1998), Redmond, W.H. and Scott, A.F. (1996), Williamson, G.K. and Moulis, R.A. (1994)Data Providers: Geoffrey Hammerson, Julian HarrisonEurycea tynerensisMoore and Hughes, 1939OKLAHOMA SALAMANDERAccording to Bury, Dodd and Fellers (1980), the range of this species includes the drainages of the Neosho andIllinois Rivers, the Springfield Plateau section of the Ozark plateaus of south-western Missouri (McDonald County),north-western Arkansas (Benton, Washington, and Carroll Counties), and north-eastern Oklahoma (Adair, Cherokee,Delaware, Mayes, and Ottawa Counties), USA, at elevations below 305m asl. Petranka (1998) also indicated that therange includes eastern Oklahoma, south-western Missouri, and north-western Arkansas (but see Taxonomy). Its totaladult population size is unknown, but it has been found at 50 of 213 sites examined in three states. Its habitat is small,clear, spring-fed streams with temperatures normally under 24°C, with a coarse substrate of sand, gravel, or bedrock,where it hides under or among rocks or in submerged vegetation (Bury, Dodd and Fellers 1980). It is most commonlyfound in shallow (less than 10mm deep), slowly moving water with medium-sized rocks and with high densities ofaquatic invertebrates (Tumlison, Cline and Zwank 1990b,c). It lives below the substrate surface during droughts, andit may use karst systems to move within or between stream systems (Tumlison, Cline and Zwank 1990c). Eggs arelaid on the undersides of rocks. This species is threatened by direct habitat destruction (for example by fl ooding byimpoundments), and by activities (such as agriculture, urbanization, stream channeling, and gravel removal) that resultin silting or pollution of the aquatic habitat (Bury, Dodd and Fellers 1980). This species requires habitat protectionand more research on its population status and trends.Taxonomy: Preliminary electrophoretic data indicate that Eurycea tynerensis is restricted to a few counties in eastern Oklahoma;populations in Arkansas and Missouri are not genetically distinct from E. multiplicata griseogaster (Wilkinson, in Figg 1991). Forthis assessment, we retain the traditional understanding of E. tynerensis as occurring in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, pendingresolution of this issue.Bibliography: Behler, J.L. and King, F.W. (1979), Blackburn, L., Nanjappa, P. and Lannoo, M.J. (2001), Bury, R.B., Dodd, Jr., C.K. andFellers, G.M. (1980), Conant, R. and Collins, J.T. (1991), Dundee, H.A. (1965), Figg, D.E. (1991), Frost, D.R. (1985), Johnson, T.R. (1977),Johnson, T.R. (1987), Petranka, J.W. (1998), Tumlison, R., Cline, G.R. and Zwank, P. (1990a), Tumlison, R., Cline, G.R. and Zwank, P. (1990b),Tumlison, R., Cline, G.R. and Zwank, P. (1990c)Data Providers: Geoffrey HammersonNototriton abscondens (Taylor, 1948)This species occurs in the subhumid and humid premontane and montane areas of the Cordillera de Tilaran and theCordillera Central of Costa Rica, from 1,010-2,500m asl (Savage 2002). It can be locally common, although there arenot many recent records. It is found in terrestrial and arboreal moss mats in premontane moist and wet forest andrainforest and lower montane rainforest. It can also survive alongside roads where there are moss mats, but it doesnot survive in heavily degraded habitats. Breeding is by direct development. The main threat to this species is forestfragmentation leading to open habitats, as a result of encroaching agricultural cultivation and livestock grazing. Asignificant portion of its range is protected in Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo.Bibliography: García-París, M. et al. (2000), García-París, M. and Wake, D.B. (2000), Good, D.A. and Wake, D.B. (1993), Jokush, E.L.and Garcia-Paris, M. (1998), Savage, J.M. (2002), Wake, D.B. (1987)Data Providers: Federico Bolaños, David Wake, Jay SavageNototriton picadoi (Stejneger, 1911)This species is known only from the northern end of the Cordillera de Talamanca, Costa Rica, from 1,200-2,200m asl(Savage 2002). It is not uncommon, and is probably the commonest salamander in Parque Nacional Tapantí. It livesin moss mats and bromeliads in premontane rainforest and lower montane wet forest, and is not found in degradedhabitats. Breeding is by direct development. The main threat to this species is forest loss and fragmentation, as aresult of encroaching agricultural cultivation and livestock grazing. Part of its range is protected in Parque NacionalTapantí.Bibliography: Bruce, R.C. (1998), Bruce, R.C. (1999), García-París, M. et al. (2000), García-París, M. and Wake, D.B. (2000), Good, D.A.and Wake, D.B. (1993), Savage, J.M. (2002), Wake, D.B. (1987)Data Providers: Federico Bolaños, David Wake, Jay SavageNototriton richardi (Taylor, 1949)This species occurs on the Atlantic slopes of the Cordillera Central of Costa Rica, from 1,370-1,800m asl (Savage2002). It has been found to be more common than was once thought, but there are still few records. It lives in leaf-litterand moss banks in lower montane rainforest and marginally in higher altitude portions of premontane rainforest. Itis not found in degraded habitats. Breeding is by direct development. The main threat to this species is forest lossand fragmentation, as a result of encroaching agricultural cultivation and livestock grazing. Much of the range of thisspecies is protected in Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo.Bibliography: García-París, M. et al. (2000), García-París, M. and Wake, D.B. (2000), Good, D.A. and Wake, D.B. (1993), Savage, J.M.(2002), Wake, D.B. (1987), Wake, D.B. and Elias, P. (1983)Data Providers: Federico Bolaños, David Wake, Jay SavagePlethodon caddoensisPope and Pope, 1951CADDO MOUNTAIN SALAMANDERThis species can be found in the Caddo Mountains, Ouachita Mountains region, south-western Arkansas, USA (Conantand Collins 1991; Petranka 1998), from 275-655m asl. It is locally common (Saugey, Height and Heath 1985; Petranka1998). As of 2004, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission had recorded about 20 occurrences. Several of thesewere regarded as having good to excellent viability at the time of last visitation, but most of the occurrences didnot have recent information. It is recorded as being “locally abundant in or near talus slopes or other rocky sites,particularly on north-facing slopes that support mature, mesic forests” (Petranka 1998). It moves into undergroundretreats under shaded talus or in abandoned mine shafts during hot, dry weather (Petranka 1998), during which largenumbers have been found in abandoned mines on rock walls near water in summer (Saugey, Height and Heath 1985).It has also been found in secondary growth, mixed deciduous woods with some pine (Pope 1964). Eggs clusters havebeen found in mine shafts (Heath, Saugey and Heidt 1986). Habitat loss and degradation represents a localized threat,and timber management activities and conversion of land to pine plantations probably also reduced suitable habitatfor this species in the past (Warriner 2002). Most populations are in the Ouachita National Forest, which affords thisspecies some level of protection (Warriner 2002), and it is also state-listed as being a species of special concern.Bibliography: Behler, J.L. and King, F.W. (1979), Blackburn, L., Nanjappa, P. and Lannoo, M.J. (2001), Blair, A.P. (1957), Conant, R. andCollins, J.T. (1991), Dowling, H.G. (1956), Dowling, H.G. (1957), Duncan, R. and Highton, R. (1979), Frost, D.R. (1985), Heath, D.R., Saugey,D.A. and Heidt, G.A. (1986), Highton, R. (1962), Mahoney, M.J. (2001), Petranka, J.W. (1998), Pope, C.H. (1964), Pope, C.H. and Pope, S.H.(1951), Robison, H.W. and Allen, R.T. (1995), Saugey, D.A., Height, G.A. and Heath, D.R. (1985), Spotila, J.R. (1972), Taylor, C.L., Wilkinson,Jr., R.F., and Peterson, C.L. (1990), Trauth, S.E., Robison, H.W. and Plummer, M.V. (2004), Warriner, M.D. (2002a)Data Providers: Geoffrey HammersonPlethodon elongatus Van Denburgh, 1916DEL NORTE SALAMANDERThis species can be found in the vicinity of Port Orford, south-western Oregon, south to central Humboldt County,north-western California, USA (Petranka 1998). It occurs from sea level up to about 1,600m asl (Ollivier and Welsh1999). The total adult population size is unknown but it is locally abundant in appropriate habitat. It is strongly associatedwith moist talus and rocky substrates in redwood or Douglas fir forests, including in riparian zones. It is usuallyfound among moss-covered rocks, under associated bark and other forest litter, but usually not in seeps or othervery wet areas. It is associated with older forests with closed, multi-storied canopy (composed of both conifers andhardwoods), with a cool, moist microclimate, and rocky substrates dominated by cobble-sized fragments, and theseconditions may be optimal throughout most of the range (Welsh 1990; Welsh and Lind 1995). In coastal regions itmay be common in recently harvested forest areas with no associated older forests (Diller and Wallace 1994). Theeggs are laid in concealed terrestrial sites where they develop directly without a larval stage. It is declining due toclear-cutting logging of old-growth forest habitat, especially in drier inland locations. It occurs in Redwood NationalPark and associated state redwood parks in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, California.Taxonomy: Mahoney (2004) decribes high genetic diversity within the Plethodon elongatus complex with two highly diferentiatedevolutionarily signifi cant units in the central to southern portion of the range in Humboldt County, California.Bibliography: Behler, J.L. and King, F.W. (1979), Blackburn, L., Nanjappa, P. and Lannoo, M.J. (2001), Brodie, E.D., Jr. and Storm, R.M.(1971), Clayton, D.R., Ollivier, L.M. and Welsh, H.H. Jr. (1998), Diller, L.V. and Wallace, R.L. (1994), Frost, D.R. (1985), Jennings, M.R. andHayes, M.P. (1994), Mahoney, M.J. (2001), Mahoney, M.J. (2004), Nussbaum, R.A., Brodie, Jr., E.D. and Storm, R.M. (1983), Ollivier, L.M.and Welsh, H.H. (1999), Petranka, J.W. (1998), Stebbins, R.C. (1972), Stebbins, R.C. (1985b), Thomas, J.W. et al. (1993), Welsh Jr, H.H.(1990), Welsh Jr, H.H. and Lind, A.J. (1995), Welsh, H.H. and Lind, A.J. (1992), Welsh, H.H. and Lind, A.L. (1988)Data Providers: Geoffrey Hammerson, Hartwell WelshPlethodon jordani Blatchley, 1901RED-CHEEKED SALAMANDERThis species can be found in Gregory Bald and Great Smoky isolates, and the extreme northern part of the Balsamisolate, in North Carolina and Tennessee, USA, from 768-1,780m asl (Highton and Peabody 2000). Dodd (2004)mapped more than 100 collection or observation sites in the Great Smokies, and reported that this species is generallyabundant. This species inhabits moist dense hardwood, coniferous, and mixed forests with mossy logs and slabsof rock. It is found in burrows, leaf-litter, or in spaces under rocks and logs during the day. It tolerates some level ofdisturbance, and much of its range occurs in secondary growth forest. Breeding is by direct development, and the eggsare probably laid in underground cavities. Potential threats to this species are factors that negatively affect spruce firforests such as global warming, acid rain, and balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae) infestations. This species isprotected from the detrimental effects of clear-cutting (Ash 1997, Petranka, Eldridge and Haley 1993, Petranka 1998,Ash and Pollock 1999) by occurring completely within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It does not appearon any state or federal list of endangered species.Taxonomy: Highton and Peabody (2000) recently separated Plethdon jordani into multiple species: P. montanus, P. metcalfi , P. amplus,P. meridianus, P. jordani, P. shermani and P. cheoah.Bibliography: Ash, A.N. (1997), Ash, A.N., and Pollock, K.H. (1999), Behler, J.L. and King, F.W. (1979), Conant, R. and Collins, J.T. (1991),Crother, B.I. et al. (2000), Dawson, W.R., Ligon, J.D. and Murphy, J.R. (1987), Dodd, Jr, C.K. (2004), Hairston, N.G. (1983), Hairston, N.G., Sr.et al. (1992), Hairston, N.G., Sr., and Wiley, R.H. (1993), Highton, R. (1973), Highton, R. (1983), Highton, R. (1998), Highton, R. and Peabody,R.B. (2000), Mahoney, M.J. (2001), Martof, B.S. et al. (1980), Mitchell, J.C. and Taylor, J.A. (1986), Nishikawa, K.C. (1990), Petranka, J.W.(1998), Petranka, J.W. and Murray, S.S. (2001), Petranka, J.W., Eldridge, M.E. and Haley, K.E. (1993), Pope, C.H. (1928)Data Providers: Geoffrey Hammerson, David BeamerPlethodon larselli Burns, 1953LARCH MOUNTAIN SALAMANDERThis species can be found in the USA along the Columbia River Gorge in the Washington and Oregon Cascades, andas four populations near Mount Saint Helens and just south of Mount Rainier. It is found at altitudes up to 1,036masl (Leonard et al. 1993). It can be common in optimal microhabitats. Washington State’s Department of Fish andWildlife had 67 unique records for this species as of 1997 (Dvornich, McAllister and Aubry 1997). Most of thesesites are expected to be extant, though some of them might represent single populations. There are approximately