Blue Ridge gray-cheeked salamander
Plethodon amplus·Plethodontidae
The Blue Ridge gray-cheeked salamander is a species of salamander found exclusively in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. As one of the more recently described members of the genus Plethodon, its primary habitat is temperate forests. This species is notably threatened by habitat loss, with practices like clearcutting identified as a significant driver of its decline.
Key Facts
- ›Native to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, USA.
- ›Belongs to the genus Plethodon, a group of lungless salamanders.
- ›Inhabits temperate forest ecosystems.
- ›Its population is declining due to habitat loss.
- ›Clearcutting is a major threat to its survival.
Blue Ridge Gray-Cheeked Salamander
Temperate Forests
United States
Habitat Loss, Clearcutting
About Blue Ridge gray-cheeked salamander
The Blue Ridge gray-cheeked salamander, scientifically known as Plethodon amplus, is a species of salamander native to a very specific region of the United States. It is found exclusively within the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
Taxonomy and Description
This salamander belongs to the genus Plethodon, which is part of the Plethodontidae family, commonly known as lungless salamanders. It is recognized as one of the more recently described species within this diverse genus, which collectively comprises 55 different species.
Habitat and Distribution
The natural habitat of the Blue Ridge gray-cheeked salamander is temperate forests. Its geographic distribution is therefore limited to these specific forest ecosystems within the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
Conservation Concerns
The species is currently facing significant threats, primarily due to habitat loss. Studies have identified destructive forestry practices, such as clearcutting, as a leading cause of decline for the Blue Ridge gray-cheeked salamander population. This loss of its preferred forest environment poses a serious risk to its long-term survival.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Blue Ridge gray-cheeked salamander found?
The Blue Ridge gray-cheeked salamander is endemic to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, United States. Its natural habitat is specifically temperate forests within this mountain range.
What are the main threats to the Blue Ridge gray-cheeked salamander?
The primary threat to the Blue Ridge gray-cheeked salamander is habitat loss. Practices such as clearcutting in its temperate forest environment are identified as leading causes of its decline.
How many species are in the genus Plethodon?
The Blue Ridge gray-cheeked salamander is one of 55 species currently recognized within the genus Plethodon. This genus encompasses a variety of lungless salamanders.
Related Salamander and Newt species
Chiropterotriton priscus
The primeval splayfoot salamander (Chiropterotriton priscus) is a species of salamander native to Mexico, found in high-elevation pine and pine-fir forests. It is distinguished by its terrestrial habits, living under fallen logs and bark, and its endemic range on Cerro Potosí and nearby areas.
Ambystoma opacum
The marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum) is a stout, terrestrial salamander found in the eastern United States, distinguished by its striking black and white banded pattern. Females typically have light gray bands, while males exhibit bright white bands, with males also possessing a larger proportion of white on their dorsal surface. This species spends most of its life under logs or in burrows and relies on seasonally flooded areas for breeding.
Blue Ridge spring salamander
The Blue Ridge spring salamander, a subspecies of the spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus), is found in the southern Appalachian Mountains and adjacent Piedmont regions of the United States. This species is distinguished by a distinctive white line from its eye to its nostril, bordered by a dark line, and its varied dorsal coloration ranging from reddish to orange-yellow with black or brown spots. They inhabit cool springs, mountain springs, and moist forest areas, and are notable for their diet which can include other salamanders.