Plethodon hubrichti

Plethodon hubrichti formerly was included as a subspecies of P. nettingi; the subspecies were elevated to species status by Highton and Larson (1979). Page et al. (2020) reported on a contact zone with P. cinereus, noting no hybridization and suggested that P. cinereus may be extending into the range of P. hubrichti (Frost 2020).

Locally abundant, but with a restricted range in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia; potentially threatened by loss/degradation of habitat by incompatible forest management practices and Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar) defoliation. However, management regulations are in place to minimize timber harvesting impacts. As a montane species, it is vulnerable to climate change.

Endemic to Blue Ridge Mountains: Peaks of Otter region northeast of Roanoke, in Bedford, Botetourt, and Rockbridge counties, Virginia. Most of the known range is along the Blue Ridge Parkway within the Jefferson National Forest. Sharp Top, Flat Top, Onion, and Apple Orchard mountains and vicinity. Elevations above 550 m (Mitchell 1991); also reported as generally above 760 m (Bury et al. 1980) or 845 m (Petranka 1998). Patchy distribution but may be locally abundant (Kramer et al. 1993).

The entire population is treated as a single occurrence; the area is well surveyed.

Sattler and Reichenbach (1998) found that clearcutting significantly reduced populations, due to emigration and/or mortality; juveniles appeared to be particularly impacted. Shelterwood cuts did not have any overall adverse impacts. Mitchell et al. (1996) found that timber harvesting practices do not eliminate this species but may diminish population size and diet quality. Because of very low dispersal rates, intensive timbering and habitat fragmentation could be highly detrimental (Kramer et al. 1993, Petranka 1998). Threats also include recreational development, defoliation by the introduced Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar), and spraying to control Spongy Moths (Mitchell 1991). Collection pressure heavy at a few sites, but no effect seen. Potential local threat due to firewood collection. As a montane Plethodontid species it is vulnerable to changing climate (Farallo and Miles 2016, Sutton et al. 2015). P. cinereus may outcompete P. hubrichti in sympatric areas after a disturbance event (e.g., timber harvest) and under changing climate (Farallo and Miles 2016; Reichenbach and Brophy 2017; Rose Agbalog, USFWS, 2017, pers. comm.). Bsal, Bd and ranavirus have not been detected in Peaks of Otter salamander; Matthew Becker from Liberty University is working on a project to look at emerging infectious diseases in P. hubrichti (Rose Agbalog, USFWS, 2017, pers. comm).