Salamanders (Order Caudata)

Following are the species accounts for the six families and 92 species of salamanders that occur in the Southeast. Taxonomy in this section follows that of Collins (1990) with three exceptions: 1) I chose to elevate the three-lined salamander to the species level as did Martof and others (1980); 2) I recognize Hairston’s (1993) change of the specific name of the Southern Appalachian salamander to Plethodon oconaluftee; and 3) I recognize the elevation of Pseudobranchus axanthus to the specific level by Moler and Kezer (1993).

Species accounts are arranged alphabetically by family, then by genus, and finally by species. The families used are:

• Mole Salamanders (Family Ambystomatidae)
• Amphiumas (Family Amphiumidae)
• Hellbenders (Family Cryptobranchidae)
• Lungless Salamanders (Family Plethodontidae)
• Waterdogs or Mudpuppies (Family Proteidae)
• Sirens (Family Sirenidae)

Management Suggestions

The southeastern United States has the greatest salamander biodiversity in the world. Studies have shown that the terrestrial salamanders alone contribute more biomass than do the birds and as much as the small mammals. In the area, salamanders range in size from five centimeters up to over a meter in length.

Moisture is the limiting factor for all salamander species. Some species are totally aquatic but even the terrestrial species can only survive in moist microhabitats. Most terrestrial salamanders hide during the day and are only at the surface at night or on damp, rainy days. These species can be broken into four basic categories: 1) terrestrial species that must migrate to aquatic habitats for egg deposition, 2) terrestrial species that have direct development, so therefore require damp microhabitats but not standing water, 3) semi-aquatic species that, for the most part, live in or around streams or other aquatic habitat but need adjacent terrestrial habitat for dispersal or seasonal activity, and 4) aquatic species that are essentially obligate aquatic but might use terrestrial habitat during extreme rainy conditions or to “diapause” during drought conditions.

Management plans for terrestrial species that require breeding ponds or other forms of standing water must consider breeding and terrestrial habitats. Providing only one of the habitats or providing both habitats that are not in close proximity of each other would fail to maintain viable populations of the species under consideration. Many of these species require moist terrestrial habitats or friable soils so they can burrow into the soil to seek moisture. Salamanders such as those in the genus Ambystoma and Hemidactylium fall into this category. It is also important in the development of management plans to avoid creation of significant barriers, such as roads, clearings, or fire breaks, between suitable terrestrial habitat and breeding waters.

A management plan for terrestrial species that have direct development (Genus Plethodon) is probably the easiest to develop, but not necessarily the easiest to implement. Suitable habitats need to be designated. Most species require moist leaf litter, logs, rocks, or similar surface debris as refuge from drying conditions. Most species prefer closed canopied forest habitat with nearby streams or other sources of water. Care should be taken not to create too much fragmentation of habitat, which isolates populations reproductively and restricts dispersal.

The semiaquatic salamanders require not only suitable aquatic habitat (clean water free of significant siltation or pollution with abundant rocks and similar shelter) but also adjacent terrestrial habitat. Some of these species spend significant portions of their lives foraging and occupying these adjacent terrestrial habitats. Most species from the genera Pseudotriton, Gyrinophilus, Eurycea, and Desmognathus fall into this category. It is important not only to leave small buffers adjacent to salamander inhabited streams, but also to provide significant upland forested habitats. The commercial collection of some salamander species as fish bait has become a significant problem in some southern forests. One illegal, but surprisingly common, method of collecting large quantities of bait salamanders is to pour chlorine bleach into streams. The bleach forces salamanders out of the water and onto the land where they can be easily collected. This practice is obviously detrimental to not only salamanders but to any aquatic species. Land managers need to be aware of this problem and monitor their land to protect or restrict against this practice.

Aquatic species of salamanders can be managed somewhat like most other aquatic species. Take care to recognize that some seemingly aquatic species do transverse terrestrial habitats under certain weather conditions. Aquatic habitats should be protected against thermal pollution, water pollution, excessive siltation, and practices that alter the existing habitats such as drainage, dredging, introduction of fish, channelization, or impoundment.