Plethodon chattahoochee

Highton et al. (1989) regarded P. glutinosus (sensu lato) as a complex of multiple species, most of which can be recognized only by biochemical characteristics (allele frequencies). Taxa formerly included in P. glutinosus and recognized as distinct species by Highton et al. (1989) include: P. teyahalee, P. chattahoochee, P. chlorobryonis, P. variolatus, P. ocmulgee, P. kiamichi, P. mississippi, P. kisatchie, P. sequoyah, P. grobmani, P. cylindraceus, P. albagula, P. savannah, P. aureolus, and P. kentucki. Some salamander taxonomists question the practice of recognizing species that are distinguished only by differences in allele frequencies, particularly in the absence of direct information on reproductive isolation (Wake, in Highton et al. 1989; Frost and Hillis 1990).

Petranka (1998) regarded P. aureolus, P. kentucki, and P. teyahalee (as P. oconaluftee) as distinct species, but he regarded P. chattahoochee, P. chlorobryonis, P. variolatus, P. ocmulgee, P. kiamichi, P. mississippi, P. kisatchie, P. sequoyah, P. grobmani, P. cylindraceus, P. albagula, and P. savannah as conspecific with (and junior synonyms of) P. glutinosus. Petranka felt that the split of P. glutinosus into multiple species was premature because of the lack of detailed information on genetic interactions at contact zones between the nominal taxa.

Common within its small range in the mountains of northern Georgia and southwestern North Carolina.

Range includes most of the Blue Ridge physiographic province of northern Georgia; also southwestern North Carolina; distribution approximately coincides with the limits of the Chattahoochee National Forest (Highton et al. 1989), with some occurrences falling outside the Forest boundaries. Digitally mapping 635 specimens gives a range extent of 3,665 sq km (VertNet 2016).

Estimated from looking at distribution map of 635 specimen records in VertNet database (VertNet 2016). Highton et al. (1989) mapped about 20 collection sites based on samples identified electrophoretically, but it isn't clear how many occurrences this number represents. Two occurrences documented in North Carolina; unknown number in Georgia.

Lungless salamanders require cool, moist habitats; this species scored "Highly Vulnerable" on Climate Change Vulnerability Index. Loss of forested habitat, over-collecting, and intensive forestry are threats. Intensive harvest of mature forest greatly reduces salamander density in the logged area; population recovery occurs slowly (Herbeck and Larsen 1999). However, most of the forest within its range have already been clear-cut and are recovering, so logging not much of a current threat. Currently, no major threats impacting species (David Beamer, East Carolina University, pers. comm. 2017), but climate change may become one.