Plethodon websteri

Plethodon websteri formerly was confused with the P. dorsalis group, specifically the species now recognized as P. ventralis; the two species are morphologically similar but genetically distinct (Highton 1986). Highton et al. (2012) noted 12S mtDNA representative of the P. glutinosus complex in P. websteri, but that other genes and allozymes placed P. websteri outside of the P. glutinosus complex. Feist et al. (2019) suggested on the basis of mtDNA analysis that the nominal species may be composed of two lineage-species and that it is genetically distant from P. welleri and not part of that group (Frost 2020).

Occurs disjunctly in five states of southeastern U.S.; stable to possibly declining in different areas of the range; moderately threatened by loss and degradation of habitat due to urbanization and silvicultural practices, but persists in second growth forest in most parts of the range.

Discontinuous range includes east-central Alabama and adjacent Georgia, with scattered, isolated populations in western South Carolina (Greenwood, Edgefield, and McCormick counties), southwestern Alabama, southern Louisiana, and Mississippi (Conant and Collins 1991, Highton 1986, Dundee and Rossman 1989, Herp Rev. 22:62; Petranka 1998). Occupies less than 10 acres in Louisiana (S. Shively, pers. comm., 1997). Elevational range is mostly or entirely below 400 meters.

Number of occurrences has not been determined using standardized criteria but likely there are at least several dozen. One documented site in excellent condition in Louisiana (S. Shively, pers. comm., 1997). Four sites mapped in Georgia, based on publication "Distribution of Amphibians and Reptiles in Georgia" (R. MacBeth, pers. comm., 1997). In Alabama, an estimated 101+ extant localities; difficult to distinguish from P. dorsalis, and the two species' distributions overlap; this may result in an overestimate of population numbers; condition of populations estimated to be 30% excellent, 20% good, 20% fair, and 30% poor (M. Bailey, pers. comm., 1997). Thirty-nine localities from 1980-1995 documented in South Carolina; estimated 21-100 extant populations; extensively surveyed in the mid-1980s (S. Bennett, pers. comm., 1997).

Deforestation and the conversion of deciduous forest to pine monocultures maintained on short harvesting cycles have adversely impacted many populations (Petranka 1998). The species is moderately threatened by development and silviculture in Alabama (M. Bailey, pers. comm., 1997). It is at least moderately adaptable to habitat degradation; it persists in second growth forest in most parts of its present range (Beamer, pers. comm., 2003). The rocky, often rugged terrain usually inhabited by this species generally is not suitable for conversion to row-crop agriculture and so escaped the widespread deforestation associated with Georgia's former cotton-based economy (Camp, in Jensen et al. 2008).