White-spotted Salamander

Plethodon punctatus

White-spotted Salamander

WSSA

Status

Virginia lists this species as one of special concern.

Reasons for Current Status

This species has been state listed due to its limited distribution and vulnerability to habitat disturbances.

Description

This medium-sized (10–17.1 cm), black salamander is a sibling species of Plethodon glutinosus. It has many small white or yellowish spots on its dorsum and a few brassy flecks on its head and tail. The throat is light but the remainder of the venter is dark.

Distribution

The White-spotted Salamander is known from elevations above 810 meters on Shenandoah Mountain (Pendleton County, West Virginia and Augusta and Rockingham counties, Virginia) and North Mountain (Hardy County, West Virginia and Shenandoah County, Virginia) (Highton 1971).

Habitat

Plethodon punctatus inhabits high elevation forest habitats. They are primarily active at night, spending days under rocks, logs, leaf litter, or in burrows. Habitat associations include spruce-fir and upland hardwood types.

Special Requirements

This salamander requires forested habitats with surface debris in the form of logs, rocks, and leaf litter.

Breeding Habits

Little is known about the reproductive habits of this species. It has direct development and it is assumed that eggs are deposited during the summer and females attend the eggs until they hatch.

Food Habits

The diet consists of insects, earthworms, snails, and spiders.

Management Suggestions

Clearcutting and similar harvesting should be discouraged in the high elevation habitats of the White-spotted Salamander. Any disturbances which open the forest canopy and subject the forest floor to drying and/or erosion should be restricted (Bohlmann and others 1988).

Additional References

Bohlmannand others 1988; Dodd 1979; Highton 1988b; Martof and others 1980.