Desmognathus folkertsi

Formerly included in Desmognathus quadramaculatus; recognized as a distinct species on the basis of adult size, body proportions, color pattern, and fixed differences at four allozyme loci (Camp et al. 2002). Beamer and Lamb (2020), in their discussion of Desmognathus mtDNA phylogenetics, noted this species to sit phylogenetically within the Desmognatus marmoratus/Desmognathus quadramaculatus complex of cryptic species (Frost 2020).

Although the range is small, populations can be quite large, and immediate threats seem to be relatively low from an overall population standpoint.

The species is documented from the Conasauga, Hiwassee, Nottely, Toccoa, Chattahoochee, and Savannah river systems, both north and south of the Blue Ridge divide (Camp et al. 2008) in northern Georgia and adjacent southwestern North Carolina, USA. It is widely distributed within the Hiwassee River and its tributaries; the latter include the West Fork of Wolf Creek and Helton Creek, Union County, Georgia (Camp et al. 2002); these streams flow independently into the Nottely River, which is a tributary of the Hiwassee River, in the Tennessee River drainage. Camp (2004) mentioned additional Tennessee River drainage localities in the upper reaches of the Hiwassee River (Towns County, Georgia) and tributaries of the Toccoa River (Union County, Georgia). South of the Blue Ridge divide, the salamander occurs in the Chattahoochee River drainage (e.g., Frogtown Creek, Lumpkin County, Georgia; Camp 2004). It has also been reported from Clay County, North Carolina, just north of the Georgia state line in the Savannah River drainage (Rothermel et al. 2007). Camp (2004) noted that known sites spanned an elevational range of 670–1,035 m; his map at that time showed an approximate extent of occurrence of 35 km long by 20 km wide.

Camp (2004) mapped 5 locations in Georgia, and Rothermel et al. reported another in North Carolina. Certainly more exist, although assigning these to distinct occurrences may be somewhat subjective.

Collection for fish bait probably has low overall consequence unless done commercially. Climate change and habitat disturbance (including timbering upslope) may be potential long-term threats.