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Home/Species/ Shenandoah Mountain Salamander

Plethodon virginia

Highton, 1999

Shenandoah Mountain Salamander

G2Imperiled (G2G3) Found in 5 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G2ImperiledGlobal Rank
Near threatenedIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.104446
Element CodeAAAAD12400
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNNear threatened
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAmphibia
OrderCaudata
FamilyPlethodontidae
GenusPlethodon
Concept Reference
Highton, R. 1999a. Geographic protein variation and speciation in the salamanders of the Plethodon cinereus group with the description of two new species. Herpetologica 55:43-90.
Taxonomic Comments
Plethodon virginia formerly was included in P. hoffmani, from which it differs in protein characteristics detectable by electrophoresis. Plethodon hoffmani and P. virginia usually do not share common alleles at four of 24 genetic loci (Highton 1999). However, these two species hybridize in relatively narrow zones at both the northern and southern ends of the range of P. virginia (Highton 1999). Highton (2009) further clarified the relationships between these two species and concluded that they warrant recognition as distinct species.
Conservation Status
Review Date2010-03-18
Change Date2000-01-28
Edition Date2002-03-27
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Range Extent1000-5000 square km (about 400-2000 square miles)
Rank Reasons
Small range in eastern West Virginia and adjacent northwestern Virginia; known from at least two dozen collection sites; hybridizes with P. HOFFMANI at the northern and southern ends of the range of P. VIRGINIA.
Range Extent Comments
Valley and Ridge physiographic province in eastern West Virginia and adjacent northwestern Virginia (see Highton 1999 for further details).
Occurrences Comments
Highton (1999) mapped 28 collection sites, plus 6 sites that yielded hybrids (with P. hoffmani).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

It inhabits spruce-fir, birch-hemlock, and primarily deciduous forests, and is also found in grassy spots and boulder fields. It is usually found under rocks or logs, or in leaf-litter, during the day, and tends to be associated with rocky substrates. Breeding and non-breeding habitats are the same. The eggs are laid in small cavities in rotting conifer logs or beneath moss mats. It is apparently not tolerant of habitat disturbance. Often under objects in wooded areas. Lays eggs in moist cavity.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodWoodland - HardwoodGrassland/herbaceousBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN2
ProvinceRankNative
VirginiaS2Yes
West VirginiaS2Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
5 - Biological resource use——High (continuing)
5.3 - Logging & wood harvesting——High (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (5)
Virginia (4)
AreaForestAcres
Gum RunGeorge Washington National Forest12,620
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
SkidmoreGeorge Washington National Forest5,641
West Virginia (1)
AreaForestAcres
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
References (11)
  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. 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]
  4. 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
  5. Green, N. B., and T. K. Pauley. 1987. Amphibians and reptiles in West Virginia. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. xi + 241 pp.
  6. Highton, R. 1986. Plethodon hoffmani. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. 392:1-2.
  7. Highton, R. 1999a. Geographic protein variation and speciation in the salamanders of the <i>Plethodon cinereus</i> group with the description of two new species. Herpetologica 55:43-90.
  8. Highton, R. 2009. Microgeographic protein and morphological variation in the woodland salamanders <i>Plethodon hoffmani </i>and <i>Plethodon virginia</i>, and hybridization between the two species. Pages 59-100 in S. M. Roble and J. C. Mitchell (eds.).A Lifetime of Contributions to Myriapodology and the Natural History of Virginia: A Festschrift in Honor of Richard L. Hoffman's 80th Birthday. Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publication No. 16, Martinsville, VA.
  9. 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.
  10. Martof, B. S., W. M. Palmer, J. R. Bailey, and J. R. Harrison, III. 1980. Amphibians and reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 264 pp.
  11. Petranka, J. W. 1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.