Plethodon montanus

Highton and Peabody (2000) examined allozyme and morphological variation in the Plethodon jordani and P. glutinosus complexes, and they also looked at interactions in contact zones. As a result of these studies, Highton and Peabody split P. jordani into multiple species as follows: P. jordani, P. montanus, P. metcalfi, P. amplus, P. meridianus, P. shermani, and P. cheoah. This revision was adopted by Crother et al. (2000). See Weisrock and Larson (2006) for discussion on the phylogenetic status of this species.

Six isolates (Flat Top, Buckhorn, Burkes Garden, Knob, Clinch, Brumley) in the Valley and Ridge Province of Virginia and five isolates (Roan, Bald, Black, Max Patch, Sandymush) in the Blue Ridge Province of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee; elevational range at least 1036-1420 meters (Highton and Peabody 2000). Moskwik (2014) documented significant elevational range changes since the 1940s.

Highton and Peabody (2000) listed 13 sampling locations and mentioned 11 "isolates.".

Some have reported that clearcutting strongly depletes local populations (Petranka et al. 1993); time required for recovery is debatable but may be at least a few decades (Ash 1997, Petranka 1999, Ash and Pollock 1999). However, Beamer and Lannoo (2005), citing Gordon et al. (1962) and personal observations, stated that these salamanders "are relatively resilient to disturbances, such as those associated with timbering operations, and frequently are found in second-growth forests and relatively small, fragmented woodlots." Clear-cutting probably causes initial declines but, on the assumption that it is similar to the closely related P. metcalfi, this species shows a good ability to recover population densities, and it is probably not significantly threatened.