Plethodon chlorobryonis

Wiens et al. (2006) suggested the possibility that Plethodon chlorobryonis and P. variolatus are conspecific, but Highton et al. (2012) discussed the evidence for this and rejected the hypothesis (Frost 2020).

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.

Coastal Plain of southeastern Virginia, North Carolina, and northeastern South Carolina; Piedmont of southeastern Virginia and central and western South Carolina; Blue Ridge in northeastern Georgia (Highton et al. 1989).

Tobey (1985) mapped many collection/observation sites in southeastern Virginia. Martof (1980) described slimy salamanders as ubiquitous in wooded areas of most of the Carolinas and Virginia.

These salamanders are relatively resilient to disturbances, such as those associated with timbering operations, and frequently are found in second-growth forests; they can persist in relatively small habitat patches (Beamer and Lannoo 2005).