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Plethodon cinereus

(Green, 1818)

Eastern Red-Backed Salamander

G5Secure Found in 97 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.100626
Element CodeAAAAD12020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAmphibia
OrderCaudata
FamilyPlethodontidae
GenusPlethodon
Synonyms
Plethodon cinereus polycentratusPlethodon cinereus serratus
Other Common Names
Eastern Red-backed Salamander (EN) redback salamander (EN) Salamandre cendrée (FR)
Concept Reference
Frost, D. R. 1985. Amphibian species of the world. A taxonomic and geographical reference. Allen Press, Inc., and The Association of Systematics Collections, Lawrence, Kansas. v + 732 pp.
Taxonomic Comments
Some published literature on this species actually pertains to Plethodon serratus, which was given full species status in mid-1970s. Highton et al. (2012) discussed the situation where P. cinereus and P. sequoyah differ morphologically, but where P. cinereus is not genetically inclusive, and Lehtinen et al. (2016) presented evidence of widespread hybridization with P. electromorphus to the point that the author suggested that the populations were merging (Frost 2020). Page et al. (2020) reported on a contact zone with P. hubrichti, noting no hybridization and suggested that P. cinereus may be extending into the range of P. hubrichti (Frost 2020). No subspecies are recognized (Crother 2017, Frost 2021).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-05-10
Change Date2001-11-09
Edition Date2004-08-23
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent200,000 to >2,500,000 square km (about 80,000 to >1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Range Extent Comments
Minnesota and western Ontario to southern Quebec and Newfoundland, south to North Carolina and northeastern Tennessee (Conant and Collins 1991, Petranka 1998). Ranges to elevations of at least 4,800 feet (1,463 m) in West Virginia.
Occurrences Comments
Represented by many and/or large occurrences throughout the range.
Threat Impact Comments
Intensive timber harvest causes major declines in abundance (deMaynadier and Hunter 1995). Negative impacts of intensive timber harvesting extend at least 25-35 m into uncut forest (deMaynadier and Hunter 1998). Roads negatively impact salamander abundance in roadside habitat and may serve as partial barriers to movement (deMaynadier and Hunter 2000). However, these factors do not pose a major threat to the global population.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Damp microhabitats in wooded areas; inside logs, under leaf litter, or under surface objects during day. Goes underground during freezing or hot, dry weather. In New York, tended to be absent where soil pH was less than 3.8; much more abundant in beech forest than in hemlock forest (Wyman 1988, Wyman and Jancola 1992, Frisbie and Wyman 1992). Lays eggs in cavity in log or stump or under rock or other objects on ground.

Ecology

Territorial. Home range generally less than a few meters across. This species often is the most abundant vertebrate throughout its range; attains densities of up to at least 2500/ha.

Reproduction

Lays a clutch of up to about 15 eggs, mostly in June or July. Female remains with eggs until hatching in 6-9 weeks (usually August or September); additional individual (probably male) may occur with attending female (Friet 1995, Herpetol. Rev. 26:198-199). Larval stage passed in egg. Female may attend hatchling for up to a few weeks after hatching. Sexually maturity reportedly occurs in about 2-3 years. Adult males exhibit courtship behavior annually in spring and fall; females apparently breed biennially.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodForest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - Mixed
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
New HampshireS5Yes
West VirginiaS5Yes
MarylandS5Yes
Rhode IslandS5Yes
TennesseeS4Yes
MassachusettsS5Yes
MinnesotaS4Yes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
IndianaS4Yes
ConnecticutS5Yes
New JerseyS5Yes
VirginiaS5Yes
WisconsinS4Yes
VermontS5Yes
MichiganS5Yes
North CarolinaS5Yes
OhioSNRYes
District of ColumbiaS5Yes
DelawareS5Yes
MaineS5Yes
New YorkS5Yes
KentuckyS2Yes
IllinoisS4Yes
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
OntarioS5Yes
Prince Edward IslandS4Yes
Nova ScotiaS5Yes
QuebecS5Yes
New BrunswickS5Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
5 - Biological resource use——High (continuing)
5.3 - Logging & wood harvesting——High (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (97)
Idaho (1)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekCaribou-Targhee National Forest118,582
Maine (1)
AreaForestAcres
Caribou - Speckled ExtWhite Mountain National Forest5,988
Minnesota (2)
AreaForestAcres
Baker - Homer - Brule LakesSuperior National Forest6,712
Tait LakeSuperior National Forest6,327
New Hampshire (12)
AreaForestAcres
Carr MountainWhite Mountain National Forest17,110
Great Gulf Ext.White Mountain National Forest15,110
JobildunkWhite Mountain National Forest3,660
KearsargeWhite Mountain National Forest4,554
KilkennyWhite Mountain National Forest28,766
Kinsman MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,999
Mt. Wolf - Gordon PondWhite Mountain National Forest11,846
PemigewassetWhite Mountain National Forest32,255
Pemigewasset ExtWhite Mountain National Forest15,840
Presidential - Dry River ExtWhite Mountain National Forest10,555
Sandwich RangeWhite Mountain National Forest16,797
Wild RiverWhite Mountain National Forest46,878
North Carolina (9)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainPisgah National Forest11,085
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
Dobson KnobPisgah National Forest6,111
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Jarrett CreekPisgah National Forest7,485
Linville Gorge AdditionPisgah National Forest2,809
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Wilson CreekPisgah National Forest4,863
Woods MountainPisgah National Forest9,602
Pennsylvania (4)
AreaForestAcres
Allegheny FrontAllegheny National Forest7,430
CornplanterAllegheny National Forest2,929
Minister ValleyAllegheny National Forest1,417
Tracy RidgeAllegheny National Forest9,034
Tennessee (8)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainCherokee National Forest11,743
Big Laurel Branch AdditionCherokee National Forest5,577
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
London Bridge BranchCherokee National Forest3,387
Rogers RidgeCherokee National Forest4,738
Sampson Mountain AdditionCherokee National Forest3,064
Slide HollowCherokee National Forest4,057
Stone MountainCherokee National Forest5,367
Vermont (4)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,833
Wilder Mountain 09082Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests8,759
Woodford 09086Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests2,456
Virginia (34)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Crawford MountainGeorge Washington National Forest9,892
Elliott KnobGeorge Washington National Forest9,380
Garden MountainJefferson National Forest3,960
Gum RunGeorge Washington National Forest12,620
Hunting Camp Little Wolf CreekJefferson National Forest8,953
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
Laurel ForkGeorge Washington National Forest9,967
Lewis Fork AdditionJefferson National Forest749
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
Little Wilson Creek Addition BJefferson National Forest1,725
Mottesheard (VA)Jefferson National Forest2,596
Mountain Lake Addition AJefferson National Forest1,469
Mountain Lake Addition B (VA)Jefferson National Forest3,405
Mountain Lake Addition CJefferson National Forest494
Mt. PleasantGeorge Washington National Forest8,933
New London Bridge BranchJefferson National Forest844
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
Peters Mountain Addition A (VA)Jefferson National Forest1,268
Peters Mountain Addition BJefferson National Forest2,909
Raccoon BranchJefferson National Forest4,388
Ramseys Draft AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest12,781
Saint Marys AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest1,454
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
Shawvers Run AdditionJefferson National Forest1,927
SkidmoreGeorge Washington National Forest5,641
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
The FriarsGeorge Washington National Forest2,035
The PriestGeorge Washington National Forest5,737
Three RidgesGeorge Washington National Forest4,745
Three SistersGeorge Washington National Forest8,149
West Virginia (20)
AreaForestAcres
Canaan LoopMonongahela National Forest7,867
Cheat MountainMonongahela National Forest8,191
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Dry ForkMonongahela National Forest657
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
East Fork Of GreenbrierMonongahela National Forest7,167
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Glady ForkMonongahela National Forest3,239
Laurel ForkMonongahela National Forest1,172
Little MountainMonongahela National Forest8,172
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
Mottesheard (WV)Jefferson National Forest3,964
Mountain Lake Addition B (WV)Jefferson National Forest557
Peters Mountain Addition A (WV)Jefferson National Forest343
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Tea Creek MountainMonongahela National Forest8,295
Turkey MountainMonongahela National Forest6,421
Wisconsin (2)
AreaForestAcres
09011 - Flynn Lake Study AreaChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest5,951
09166 - East TorchChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest4,647
References (24)
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  2. Blackburn, L., P. Nanjappa, and M. J. Lannoo. 2001. An Atlas of the Distribution of U.S. Amphibians. Copyright, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA.
  3. Conant, R. and J. T. Collins. 1991. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians: eastern and central North America. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Massachusetts. 450 pp.
  4. Conant, R., and J. T. Collins. 1998. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians: eastern and central North America. Third edition, expanded. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Massachusetts. 616 pp.
  5. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2017. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 8th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 43:1-104. [Updates in SSAR North American Species Names Database at: https://ssarherps.org/cndb]
  6. DeGraaf, R. M., and D. D. Rudis. 1983a. Amphibians and reptiles of New England. Habitats and natural history. Univ. Massachusetts Press. vii + 83 pp.
  7. deMaynadier, P. G., and M. L. Hunter, Jr. 1995. The relationship between forest management and amphibian ecology: a review of the North American literature. Environmental Reviews 3(3&4):230-261.
  8. DeMaynadier, P. G., and M. L. Hunter, Jr. 1998. Effects of silvicultural edges on the distribution and abundance of amphibians in Maine. Conservation Biology 12:340-352.
  9. deMaynadier, P. G., and M. L. Hunter, Jr. 2000. Road effects on amphibian movements in a forested landscape. Natural Areas Journal 20:56-65.
  10. Frisbie, M. P., and R. L. Wyman. 1992. The effect of soil chemistry on sodium balance in the red-backed salamander; a comparison of two forest types. J. Herpetol. 26:434-442.
  11. Frost, D. R. 1985. Amphibian species of the world. A taxonomic and geographical reference. Allen Press, Inc., and The Association of Systematics Collections, Lawrence, Kansas. v + 732 pp.
  12. Frost, D.R. 2020. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. Online: http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html
  13. Frost, D.R. 2021. Amphibian Species of the World (ASW): an Online Reference. Version 6.1. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. Online: http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html
  14. Green, N. B., and T. K. Pauley. 1987. Amphibians and reptiles in West Virginia. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. xi + 241 pp.
  15. Highton, R., A. P. Hatings, C. Palmer, R. Watts, C. A. Hass, M. Culver, and S. J. Arnold. 2012. Concurrent speciation in the eastern woodland salamanders (genus <i>Plethodon</i>): DNA sequences of the complete albumin nuclear and partial mitochondrial 12s genes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 63:278–290.
  16. Lehtinen, R. M., A. F. Steratore, M. M. Eyre, E. S. Cassagnol, M. L. Stern, and H. A. Edgington. 2016. Identification of widespread hybridization between two terrestrial salamanders using morphology, coloration, and molecular markers. Copeia 2016:132-139.
  17. Mahoney, M. J. 2001. Molecular systematics of <i>Plethodon </i>and <i>Aneides </i>(Caudata: Plethodontini): phylogenetic analysis of an old and rapid radiation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 18:174-188.
  18. Minton, S. A., Jr. 1972. Amphibians and reptiles of Indiana. Indiana Academy Science Monographs 3. v + 346 pp.
  19. Page, R. B., C. Conarroe, D. Quintanilla, A. Palomo, J. Solis, A. Aguilar, K. Bezold, A. M. Sackman, and D. M. Marsh. 2020. Genetic variation in <i>Plethodon cinereus</i> and <i>Plethodon hubrichti</i> from in and around a contact zone. Ecology and Evolution 10:9948-9967.
  20. Petranka, J. W. 1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.
  21. Smith, P.W. 1963. Plethodon cinereus. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. 5:1-3.
  22. Vogt, R. C. 1981c. Natural history of amphibians and reptiles of Wisconsin. Milwaukee Public Museum. 205 pp.
  23. Wyman, R. L. 1988. Soil acidity and moisture and the distribution of amphibians in five forests of southcentral New York. Copeia 1988:394-399.
  24. Wyman, R. L., and J. Jancola. 1992. Degree and scale of terrestrial acidification and amphibian community structure. J. Herpetol. 26:392-401.