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Home/Species/ Jemez Mountains Salamander

Plethodon neomexicanus

Stebbins and Riemer, 1950

Jemez Mountains Salamander

G1Critically Imperiled (G1G2) Found in 23 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G1Critically ImperiledGlobal Rank
EndangeredIUCN
Very high - highThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.101803
Element CodeAAAAD12110
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNEndangered
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAmphibia
OrderCaudata
FamilyPlethodontidae
GenusPlethodon
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.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2018-11-27
Change Date2018-11-27
Edition Date2018-11-27
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G., and R. Jennings (2007); Schuhmann, A. (2018)
Threat ImpactVery high - high
Range Extent250-1000 square km (about 100-400 square miles)
Number of Occurrences6 - 20
Rank Reasons
Small distribution in one mountain range in New Mexico; may be declining in area of occupancy, number of subpopulations, and population size, but trends are difficult to determine; vulnerable to habitat loss/degradation from wildfires, logging, and road construction. Species occurs within a limited range and faces "immediate and high magnitude threats" (USFWS 2010)
Range Extent Comments
The range is restricted to the Jemez Mountains in Sandoval, Los Alamos, and Rio Arriba counties, New Mexico, at elevations of 7,185-11,256 feet (2,190-3,432 meters) (Degenhardt et al. 1996, Petranka 1998, Stebbins 2003, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 2006).

Extent of occurrence is 400 square kilometers based on USFWS critical habitat designation, or approximately 630 square kilometers based on Biotics data.
Occurrences Comments
This species is represented by several distinct occurrences (subpopulations). It exists as fragmented populations in "six major zones of distribution" (New Mexico Department of Game and Fish).
Threat Impact Comments
Due to the restricted range, this species is exceptionally vulnerable to habitat destruction (New Mexico Department of Fish and Game 1985, Degenhardt et al. 1996).

Current threats include the habitat degrading effects of wildfires, post-fire management (seeding, mulching) and fuel management, and road construction in known occupied habitat (New Mexico Hwy 126) (Ramotnik and Scott 1988, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 2006, USFWS 2010). Threats posed by logging have been reduced in recent years as a result of reduction in timber harvest in the salamander's habitat (New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 2006). Disease (e.g., chytridiomycosis) does not currently appear to pose a major threat (Cummer 2006).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

This species occurs in mixed conifer habitat with abundant rotted logs and surface rocks; vegetation is dominated by Douglas-fir, blue spruce, Engelmann spruce, ponderosa pine, and white fir, with occasional aspen, Rocky Mountain maple, New Mexico locust, oceanspray, and various shrubby oaks (Williams 1973, Degenhardt et al. 1996, Stebbins 2003, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 2006). Salamanders are most often encountered under and inside well-rotted Douglas-fir logs or under rocks (New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 2006). Terrestrial breeder.

Reproduction

Lays a clutch of about 8 eggs between mid-August and spring. There is no aquatic larval stage. Females reach sexual maturity in three years and lay eggs every other year (Behler and King 1979).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - ConiferForest - MixedBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN1
ProvinceRankNative
New MexicoS2Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentRestricted (11-30%)Serious - moderateHigh (continuing)
1.1 - Housing & urban areasRestricted (11-30%)Serious - moderateHigh (continuing)
2 - Agriculture & aquaculture——High (continuing)
2.2 - Wood & pulp plantations——High (continuing)
4 - Transportation & service corridorsRestricted - smallSerious - slightHigh (continuing)
4.1 - Roads & railroadsRestricted - smallSerious - slightHigh (continuing)
5 - Biological resource use——High (continuing)
5.3 - Logging & wood harvesting——High (continuing)
7 - Natural system modificationsPervasive - restrictedExtreme - seriousHigh (continuing)
7.1 - Fire & fire suppressionPervasive (71-100%)Extreme - seriousHigh (continuing)
7.2 - Dams & water management/useNegligible (<1%)Negligible or <1% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesSmall (1-10%)UnknownLow - insignificant/negligible

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Roadless Areas (23)
New Mexico (23)
AreaForestAcres
Alamo CanyonSanta Fe National Forest8,639
Arroyo de la PresaSanta Fe National Forest6,178
Arroyo de los FrijolesSanta Fe National Forest5,277
Bearhead PeakSanta Fe National Forest8,277
Canada Bonito RNASanta Fe National Forest487
Canones CreekSanta Fe National Forest3,938
Cerro La JaraSanta Fe National Forest1,122
Clara PeakSanta Fe National Forest788
El InviernoSanta Fe National Forest29,927
El LagunitoSanta Fe National Forest6,799
Ghost TownSanta Fe National Forest219
Guaje CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,104
Guaje CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,104
LemitasSanta Fe National Forest8,129
Oso VallecitosSanta Fe National Forest1,116
Peralta RidgeSanta Fe National Forest4,027
PolvaderaSanta Fe National Forest2,487
Polvadera PeakSanta Fe National Forest6,291
Pueblo MesaSanta Fe National Forest3,540
RendijaSanta Fe National Forest2,176
RendijaSanta Fe National Forest2,176
Virgin CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,068
YoungsvilleSanta Fe National Forest6,122
References (25)
  1. Behler, J. L., and F. W. King. 1979. The Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles and amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 719 pp.
  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. Bury, R. B., C. K. Dodd, Jr., and G. M. Fellers. 1980. Conservation of the Amphibia of the United States: a review. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C., Resource Publication 134. 34 pp.
  4. 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]
  5. Cummer, M. R. 2006. Prevalence of amphibian disease in the Jemez Mountains salamander (<i>Plethodon neomexicanus</i>) and other sympatric amphibians in the Jemez Mountains of northcentral New Mexico. Unpublished report to New Mexico Dept. Game and Fish, Santa Fe, NM. 18 pp.
  6. Cummer, M. R., B. L. Christman, and M. A. Wright. 2003. Investigations of the status and distribution of amphibians and reptiles on the Valles Caldera National Preserve, Sandoval County, New Mexico 2002. Unpublished report submitted to Valles Caldera Trust, Los Alamaos, NM. 13 pp. + 3 appendices.
  7. Cummer, M. R., B. L. Christman, and M. A. Wright. 2004. Investigations of the status and distribution of amphibians and reptiles on the Valles Caldera National Preserve, Sandoval County, New Mexico 2003. Unpublished report submitted to Valles Caldera Trust, Los Alamos, NM.
  8. Degenhardt, W. G., C. W. Painter, and A. H. Price. 1996. Amphibians and reptiles of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. xix + 431 pp.
  9. 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.
  10. 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
  11. Keller, D. C., and C. D. Hathcock. 2015. Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Management Plan for Los Alamos National Laboratory, United States. Online. Available at: https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1225594 (Accessed 2018).
  12. 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.
  13. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 1985. Handbook of species endangered in New Mexico.
  14. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 1994. Endangered Species of New Mexico -- 1994 Biennial Review and Recommendations. Authority: New Mexico Wildlife Conservation Act (NMSA 17-2-37, 1978).
  15. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 2000. Conservation Agreement for the Jemez Mountains Salamander Between and Among New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, USDA Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Signed by Eleanor S. Towns (USFS), Nancy Kaufman (USFWS), and Jerry Maracchini (NMDGF), January 2000.
  16. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 2006. Threatened and endangered species of New Mexico. 2006 biennial review. Conservation Services Division.
  17. Painter, C. W. 2005. <i>Plethodon neomexicanus.</i> Pages 828-829 in M. Lannoo, editor. Amphibian declines: the conservation status of United States species. University of California Press, Berkeley.
  18. Petranka, J. W. 1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.
  19. Ramotnik, C. A., and N. J. Scott. 1988. Habitat requirements of New Mexico's endangered salamanders. Pages 54-63 in R.C. Szaro, et al., technical coordinators. 1988. Management of amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals in North America. USDA For. Serv., Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-166. 458 pp.
  20. Stebbins, R. C. 1985a. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. xiv + 336 pp.
  21. Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
  22. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2013. Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Jemez Mountains Salamander. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Online. Available at: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/NewMexico/documents/JMS_Salamander_Final_Critical_Habitat_%2078_FR_69569_11-2013.pdf (Accessed 2018).
  23. Whitford, W. G., and J. Ludwig. 1976. The biota of the Baca Geothermal Site. Whitford Ecological Consultants, Las cruces, New Mexico.
  24. Williams, S. R. 1972. The Jemez Mountains salamander, <i>Plethodon neomexicanus</i>. Pages 188-127 <i>in </i>Symposium on rare and endangered wildlife of the southwestern United States. New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  25. Williams, S.R. 1973c. <i>Plethodon neomexicanus</i>. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles 131:1-2.