Plethodon richmondi is an eastern member of the cinereus group. Like other P. cinereus species, P. richmondi is sometimes described as a "worm with legs." The rounded tail is slightly compressed along the sides and it accounts for almost half of the species TL, which ranges from 65-143 mm. Adult female individuals are usually larger than adult males, but adult males have cloacal papillae and large mental glands that are lacking in adult females. The dorsal region and sides are dark brown, almost black, and sprinkled with various colored spots, from gold to greenish-gold to silvery-white. Along the ventral area, the dark coloration predominates. The only area of the species that is light in color is the throat region, although this coloration creates a mottled effect. The throat also has a developed gular fold.

When they hatch, P. richmondi individuals are light gray above with large white spots on a black network along the dorsum. They average about 14-15 mm SVL (Regester 2000).

 
Etymology:

The species is named in honor of Neil D. Richmond, a Virginia-born herpetologist (Regester 2000).

This species can be found in Eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia (west of the New and Kanawha rivers and south of the Teays River valley), western Virginia, northwestern North Carolina, and northeastern Tennessee, United States (Highton 1999).

This salamander ranges from western Pennsylvania to Indiana. It occurs in the Lake Erie basin also (Harding, 1997). There are no conspicuous patterns of geographic variation in coloring or patterning, instead regional populations are distinguished by the number of costal grooves (Petranka, 1998).

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

Global Range: (20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)) Range includes eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia (west of the New and Kanawha rivers and south of the Teays River valley), western Virginia, northwestern North Carolina, and northeastern Tennessee (Highton 1999).

endemic to a single nation

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Plethodon richmondi prefers the moist conditions found under logs, stumps, leaf litter, and rocks in wooded valleys and ravines of the eastern US. The species’ distribution ranges from west of the New and Kanawha rivers and south of the Teays River Valley in West Virginia, through Kentucky, and into the southwestern regions of Virginia. P. richmondi can even be found in the very northwestern areas of North Carolina and northeastern Tennessee. Although a terrestrial salamander, it is rarely found on ridges, hilltops or valley floors where conditions are frequently very dry. Large populations of this salamander are found on wooded talus slopes (Regester 2000).

This species is very long and slender with short legs, it has been described as a "worm with legs," (Conant and Collins 1998). The tail of adults makes up about 50% of the total body length. The dorsal coloration is seal brown to nearly black but sprinkled with silvery-white and bronze speckles. The sides have very small irregular white blotches and 20-33 costal grooves (Petranka, 1998). The belly is dark gray with lighter gray speckles, leading to an even more heavily mottled chin. The adult length runs from 7.5 to 14.4 cm. (3 to 5.6 in.) Males are slightly larger than the females with a conspicuous mental gland on the chin (Harding, 1997).

Length: 14 cm

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Marion, 5 mi E of, Brushy Mountain, Smyth, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Marion, 5 mi E of, Brushy Mountain, Smyth, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Marion, 5 mi E of, Brushy Mountain, Smyth, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Marion, 5 mi E of, Brushy Mountain, Smyth, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Marion, 5 mi E of, Brushy Mountain, Smyth, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Marion, 5 mi E of, Brushy Mountain, Smyth, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Marion, 5 mi E of, Brushy Mountain, Smyth, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1951
Locality: Comer's Rock (= Comers Rock Recreation Area, Jefferson National Forest), Grayson - Wythe, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1951
Locality: Comer's Rock (= Comers Rock Recreation Area, Jefferson National Forest), Grayson - Wythe, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Wytheville, 6 mi W of, Wythe, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Wytheville, 6 mi W of, Wythe, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Wytheville, 6 mi W of, Wythe, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Wytheville, 6 mi W of, Wythe, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1953
Locality: Sparta, 2 mi SW of, Alleghany, North Carolina, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1938
Locality: Huntington, Ritter Park, Cabell, West Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1953
Locality: Jefferson, SE of, Nigger Mountain (= Mount Jefferson), Ashe, North Carolina, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1953
Locality: Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 236.2, Alleghany - Wilkes, North Carolina, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1954
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1953
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Paratype for Plethodon richmondi
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
Preparation: Ethanol
Year Collected: 1953
Locality: Burke's Garden, Tazewell, Virginia, United States, North America

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

The ravine salamander gets its name from inhabiting the slopes of woodland ravines and valleys, it is usually found under a flat rock. In the hottest parts of the summer they move into the ground, a depth of over a meter (3.3ft.) has been reported (Harding, 1997). Little evidence has been found to indicate that this salamander is territorial, it is in fact less aggressive than other Plethodon species (Petranka, 1998).

Terrestrial Biomes: forest

Comments: Terrestrial. Found under logs, stumps, rocks, or leaf litter on moist wooded slopes of valleys and ravines; high densities on wooded talus; rarely on dry ridge crests, hilltops, or valley floors (Regester 2000). Generally underground in mid-winter and summer. Lays eggs under rocks or in underground cavity.

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

The Ravine salamander has a diet that consists mainly of small insects such as ants and beetles. They will also eat pill bugs, earthworms, spiders, and snails (Harding, 1997).

Comments: Eats various small terrestrial invertebrates.

Note: For many non-migratory species, occurrences are roughly equivalent to populations.

Estimated Number of Occurrences: 81 - 300

Comments: This species is represented by many and/or large occurrences (subpopulations) throughout most of the range (Regester 2000).

10,000 - 1,000,000 individuals

Comments: Total adult population size is unknown but likely exceeds 10,000. Common in many areas. "Frequently found in high densities on wooded talus slopes" (Regester 2000).

Comments: Most active in spring and fall.

The mating season for this salamander extends from autumn through early spring. Most females oviposit in deep underground passageways, and are likely to brood their eggs through hatching. Hatching occurs in late summer or early fall; however most hatchlings do not move to ground surface until the following spring. Hatchlings are light grey above with an immaculate belly, and reach an average length of 14-15mm. SVL. Females reproduce biennially. Male salamanders reach sexual maturity slightly more than 2 years after hatching while females begin maturing when 2 years old (Petranka, 1998).

Lays cluster of about 6 eggs in spring. Larval stage passed in egg. Hatching occurs in August-September.

Deforestation and urbanization are the primary factors that have eliminated the local populations of this species throughout its range (Petranka, 1998).

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Reasons: Relatively common and widely distributed in eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia, western Virginia, northwestern North Carolina, and northeastern Tennessee.

Intrinsic Vulnerability: Moderately vulnerable

Environmental Specificity: Narrow to moderate.

Population

Population Trend

Global Short Term Trend: Relatively stable (=10% change)

Comments: Presumed to be relatively stable.

Global Long Term Trend: Increase of 10-25% to decline of 30%

Comments: Likely relatively stable in extent of occurrence, probably less than 25% decline in population size, area of occurrence, and number/condition of occurrences.

Major Threats

Comments: Deforestation and urbanization have eliminated local populations (Petranka 1998).

Conservation Actions

With their affinity to habitats with steep gradients, Ravine salamanders seem to be more specialized than other Great Lakes plethodon. They are important members to the woodland floor community (Harding, 1997).

Comments: This salamander was included in P. CINEREUS until 1938, when it was newly described as P. RICHMONDI.

Plethodon electromorphus formerly was included in this species (see Highton 1999). Highton (1999) described Plethodon electromorphus as distinct from Plethodon richmondi on the basis of protein characteristics detectable by eletrophoresis; P. ELECTROMORPHUS and P. RICHMONDI do not share common alleles at one of 24 genetic loci and have a fixed difference at another locus in all but one population (Highton 1999). These two salamanders hybridize in a narrow zone of contact, with low introgression (Highton 1999). Plethodon richmondi and P. CINEREUS hybridize on Iron and Holston Mountain, Tennessee (Thurow 1969). Some taxonomists would regard P. ELECTROMORPHUS as questionably valid as a species distinct from P. RICHMONDI.

Mahoney (2001) used mtDNA data to examine phylogenetic relationships of western and eastern Plethodon and Aneides. She found strong support for eastern Plethodon as a clade, but monophyly of Aneides was only weakly supported in some analyses, though "the monophyly of this clade is not in doubt." Analyses indicated that Plethodon stormi and P. ELONGATUS are clearly sister taxa, and P. DUNNI and P. VEHICULUM also are well-supported sister taxa. Plethodon larselli and P. VANDYKEI appear to be closely related, whereas P. NEOMEXICANUS did not group with any other lineage. All analyses yielded a paraphyletic Plethodon but constraint analyses did not allow rejection of a monophyletic Plethodon. Mahoney recommended continued recognition of Aneides as a valid genus and adoption of the metataxon designation for Plethodon*, indicating this status with an asterisk. (A metataxon is a group of lineages for which neither monophyly nor paraphyly can be demonstrated.)