Abstract
A three-year field investigation was initiated in 1996 to update previous information on the local abundance and distribution of three salamanders of the genus Plethodon (P. caddoensis, P.fourchensis, and P. ouachitae); these salamanders are found within a five-county area of the Ouachita National Forest in southwestern Arkansas. Plethodon fourchensis was most numerous at three sites in Polk County; a total of 18 specimens was found. Searching for Plethodon fourchensis was successful following moderate-to-heavy precipitation but only in selected habitats on Fourche and Irons Forks mountains. The preferred habitats of P. caddoensis were talus-covered slopes and wet ravines consisting of mostly small loose rocks within the Caddo Mountains. This species was found at 17 of 25 collection sites (n =108); the largest single collection (n =52) occurred on 19 April 1998. Rocky habitats with an abundance of leaf litter on Rich Mountain yielded Plethodon ouachitae in modest numbers (n =45); three new locality sites were found during this study. Although new localities were discovered for each species during this study, none occurred outside its currently recognized range. Current forest management/landscape practices should strive to prevent any precipitous declines in populations of these salamanders.
Recommended Citation
Trauth, Stanley E. and Wilhide, J. D.
(1999)
"Status of Three Plethodontid Salamanders (Genus Plethodon) From the Ouachita National Forest of Southwest Arkansas,"
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 53, Article 23.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol53/iss1/23
