Big Levels salamander

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Big Levels salamander
In Augusta County, Virginia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Plethodontidae
Subfamily:
Plethodontinae
Genus: Plethodon
Species:
P. sherando
Binomial name
Plethodon sherando
Highton, 2004

The Big Levels salamander (Plethodon sherando) is a species of

George Washington National Forest.[2] Its common name refers to the Big Levels area of southeastern Augusta County, Virginia, a series of flat to gently rolling mountain tops in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where it was found.[2][3]

It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to its limited distribution. Little is known about its conservation status or threats, but it may be threatened by logging-related ecosystem degradation.[1]

Description

The Big Levels salamander is a small salamander of the genus

P. serratus, which have gray and white (sometimes yellow) coloring on the underside of the body. Plethodon sherando has a greater amount of white pigmentation than gray. The back is red and gray, sometimes with stripes or spots. The legs are longer and the head slightly wider in P. sherando compared to P. cinereus.[2]

The holotype is an adult male which measured 95 mm (3.7 in) in total length and 42 mm (1.7 in) from snout to vent.[2]

Habitat

Its

relative humidity and cooler air temperatures.[4]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T61905A12569864.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  2. ^ a b c d e f Highton, Richard. 2004. A New Species of Woodland Salamander of the Plethodon cinereus Group from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Jeffersoniana: 1-22.
  3. ^ Swartz, R. E. and D. M. Kocka. 1999. Wildlife Management Activities in Big Levels, Augusta County, Virginia: An Overview. Banisteria No. 13. Virginia Natural History Society.
  4. S2CID 88080527
    .
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