The Shenandoah salamander is a lungless salamander. It breathes through its skin and its respiration depends on its ability to maintain skin moisture. (Matthew Stover / Courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey). Springtime in the Northeast usually means plenty of rainand the re-emergence of temporary pools — known as vernal pools — that form as water fills shallow depressions in forests, floodplains and meadows.
Vernal pools come to life as frogs, toads and salamanders converge on them to mate and lay eggs.
But there is a salamander, the Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon shenandoah), whose life is quite different. As it name implies, the Shenandoah salamander is known to occur within the boundaries of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia; specifically on only three mountains.
This rare salamander is a member of the family Plethodontidae or lungless salamanders that “breathe” through their skin. Respiration depends on the ability to maintain skin moisture, a characteristic that restricts the Shenandoah salamanders size to 3.5–4.5 inches in length.
The body is dark brown, with two colors phases. The striped color phase has a narrow red to yellow stripe down the center of the back. In the unstriped phase, the back is dark brown with scattered brass-colored flecks. In both phases, white or yellow spots occur along the sides.
This woodland salamander has no aquatic stage. It is generally found on northwest to northeast facing talus slopes 2,900 feet above sea level in forested conditions, where an overstory promotes surface moisture.
Primarily nocturnal, this salamander spends its days in rock crevices or under other objects.
Its diet includes mites, springtails, flies, small beetles and other soil invertebrates.
Breeding takes place in late spring or summer. In contrast with most salamanders, embryo development takes place within the egg. Small egg clusters, containing three to 17 eggs, are laid in damp logs, moss or other available crevices, where the females guard the eggs. Incubation lasts one to three months, during which time the female does not forage for food.
The Shenandoah salamander was federally listed as an endangered species on Sept. 18, 1987. Habitat modifications and forest fragmentation — most likely from timber harvesting, mining and recreational activities — are the biggest causes for its decline.
Although its range falls entirely in a National Park where protection is assumed, the Shenandoah salamander still faces many threats.
The infestation of forests by nonnative insects and disease defoliates or kills trees, altering habitat for the salamander.
Acid deposition is believed to be changing soil conditions. This, in turn, can alter hydro-chemical conditions that the Shenandoah salamander needs.
Use of the park (hiking, camping, trail maintenance, etc.) can also impact the salamander.
Finally, given that the salamander is only found at higher elevations where the climate is relatively cool, climate change may also limit or negatively impact the salamander or its habitat.
Biologists at Shenandoah National Park have initiated a study and monitoring effort with the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center to examine the distribution patterns of the Shenandoah salamander and identify the best management actions to ensure its persistence.
Monitoring is being conducted to further identify the species’ range and to characterize its abundance.
Work is also being done to minimize local potential impacts on the salamander, such as hiking and camping.
For information, go to Patuxent Wildlife Research Center’s website, www.pwrc.usgs.gov/NEARMI/researchmonitoring/ShenSal.cfm.