![]() ![]() The Shenandoah Salamander was listed as Federally Endangered in 1989 and this listing provides it with certain protections under federal law. Their predation on insects also influences ecosystem processes such as decomposition. These include predation on insects and other invertebrates, soil aeration and influence on soil dynamics brought about by burrowing, and they are a food source to other forest animals. This is unfortunate because salamanders serve several important ecological roles. Ecosystem Roleįor most visitors, salamanders, including the Shenandoah Salamander, are rarely given much thought unless you are an amphibian enthusiast. Woodland salamanders, including the Shenandoah Salamander eat mites, flies, small beetles, springtails, and other invertebrates that are found in the soil. ![]() The Shenandoah Salamander escapes freezing temperatures in the winter as well as hot, dry conditions in the summer by retreating beneath the soil surface, where temperature and moisture conditions are more stable. The Shenandoah Salamander is primarily nocturnal and hides beneath rocks, logs, and other objects during the day. The small range and narrow habitat requirements of the Shenandoah Salamander led to its listing as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. In addition to temperature and moisture, competition with the widespread red-backed salamander also contributes restricts the Shenandoah salamander's range. The cool, moist conditions that the species requires only exist at these higher elevations because temperatures tend to be cooler and the mountain tops are more often bathed in fog. The Shenandoah Salamander is only found on high elevation peaks within the Shenandoah National Park. Forest cover is important because it shades the soil and leads to higher surface ground moisture, which is critical to these terrestrial salamanders. Habitat and RangeĪll members of the genus Plethodon are terrestrial, and they are usually found in forested areas. Eggs hatch in summer or fall.Īdults appear to survive for long periods with a few possibly surviving as long as 25 years. ![]() Females guard eggs and do not forage for food during this time. Incubation lasts one to three months and development occurs completely within the egg. Females lay eggs every other year with an average clutch size of 13 eggs which are laid in damp logs, moss, or moist crevices. Breeding probably occurs in late spring or summer and fertilization is internal. Little is know about the Shenandoah Salamander's life history, but it is likely that females do not breed before four years of age. Adult Shenandoah Salamanders are also slightly larger and have more broadly rounded heads than do Red-backed Salamanders. 2/3 of total body width in Red-backed Salamander) along with the absence of a strongly mottled "salt and pepper" patterned underside (present in the Red-backed Salamander but not in the Shenandoah Salamander). The Shenandoah Salamander can be distinguished from its close relative the Red-backed Salamander externally by stripe width (equal to 1/3 of total body width in the Shenandoah Salamander vs. Some dark phase individuals may also have scattered brassy colored flecks. Two distinct color phases exist - a striped phase with a narrow red to yellow stripe along the length of the dorsal surface and an unstriped or uniformly dark phase. The Shenandoah Salamander is a small species of Plethodon reaching a total length of 7-10cm. Species: Plethodon shenandoah Physical Description The lungless salamanders are a highly successful group that are believed to have originated in the Appalachians of eastern North America. ![]() This characteristic restricts their body size and influences the ecological roles of terrestrial salamanders. Successful respiration depends on the ability to maintain skin moisture. This rare salamander is a member of the family Plethodontidae, which encompasses lungless salamanders that "breathe" through their skin. The Shenandoah Salamander is an endangered species found only in Shenandoah National Park. ![]()
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