Species Status Assessment (SSA) Report For the Peaks of Otter Salamander (Plethodon hubrichti) February 21, 2019 Version 1.1 Photo Credit: J.D. Wilson U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region Acknowledgements The research for this document was prepared by Rose Agbalog (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS—Southwestern Virginia Field Office) with technical assistance from Krishna Gifford (USFWS—Northeast Regional Office). We greatly appreciate the assistance of the following individuals who provided helpful information and/or review of the draft document: John (J.D.) Kleopfer (State Herpetologist—Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries) Anthony Tur (USFWS—Northeast Regional Office) Meagan Kelhart (formerly, USFWS—Headquarters) Cindy Schulz (USFWS—VAFO) Norman Reichenbach (Liberty University) David Marsh (Washington and Lee University) Jean Brennan (USFWS—Science Applications) We also thank our peer reviewers: Fred Huber (formerly USFS—George Washington and Jefferson National Forest) Joseph C. Mitchell (Florida Museum of Natural History—University of Florida) Thomas K. Pauley (Marshall University) Olivia LeDee (USGS—Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center) Adrianne Brand (USGS—Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) Suggested reference: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2019. Species status assessment for the Peaks of Otter Salamander (Plethodon hubrichti). Version 1.1. February 2019. Hadley, MA. 84 pages 1 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 5 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Analytical Framework ............................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 2 SPECIES INFORMATION ........................................................................................ 10 2.1 Taxonomy and Genetics .......................................................................................................... 10 2.2 Species Description ................................................................................................................. 10 2.3 Range, Distribution, and Abundance ...................................................................................... 11 2.3.1 Historical and Current Range ........................................................................................... 11 2.3.2 Distribution and Abundance ............................................................................................. 13 2.4. Life History ............................................................................................................................ 14 2.4.1 Behavior ........................................................................................................................... 14 2.4.2 Reproduction .................................................................................................................... 15 2.4.2 Feeding ............................................................................................................................. 16 2.5 Individual Requirements (Ecological Setting and Habitat Needs) .......................................... 16 2.6 Population Needs ..................................................................................................................... 18 2.7 Species Needs .......................................................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER 3 FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SPECIES .............................................................. 20 3.1 Mature Hardwood Forests ....................................................................................................... 22 3.1.1 Timber Harvest ................................................................................................................. 22 3.1.2 Fire .................................................................................................................................... 26 3.1.3 Firewood Collection ......................................................................................................... 27 3.1.4 Defoliation and Tree Damage by Insects ......................................................................... 28 3.1.5 Tree Damage by Extreme Weather Events ...................................................................... 29 3.1.6 NPS Maintenance Work ................................................................................................... 29 Summary of 3.1 Mature Hardwood Forests .............................................................................. 30 3.2 Barriers .................................................................................................................................... 30 3.2.1 Roads ................................................................................................................................ 30 3.2.2 Streams ............................................................................................................................. 31 2 3.2.3 Summary of Barriers ........................................................................................................ 32 3.3 Hybridization ........................................................................................................................... 32 3.4 Competition ............................................................................................................................. 32 3.4.1 Summary of Competition ................................................................................................. 34 3.5 Infectious Disease .................................................................................................................... 34 3.6 Changing Climate Conditions ................................................................................................. 35 3.6.1 Summary of Changing Climate Conditions ..................................................................... 40 3.7. Other Influences Considered .................................................................................................. 40 3.7.1 Collection ......................................................................................................................... 40 3.7.2 Predation ........................................................................................................................... 40 3.8 Other Conservation Actions .................................................................................................... 41 3.9 Summary of Factors Influencing the Species .......................................................................... 41 CHAPTER 4 – CURRENT CONDITION ........................................................................................ 42 4.1 Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 42 4.1.1 Density of Salamanders .................................................................................................... 43 4.1.2 Reproductive Output ........................................................................................................ 44 4.1.3 Habitat Quality ................................................................................................................. 44 4.1.4 Allopatry/Sympatry .......................................................................................................... 44 4.1.5 Habitat Management ........................................................................................................ 44 4.1.6 Overall Condition ............................................................................................................. 44 4.2 Current Condition .................................................................................................................... 45 4.2.1 Resiliency ......................................................................................................................... 45 4.2.2 Redundancy ...................................................................................................................... 47 4.2.3 Representation .................................................................................................................. 48 CHAPTER 5 FUTURE SCENARIOS .............................................................................................. 49 5.1 Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 49 5.2 Future Scenarios ...................................................................................................................... 49 5.2.1 Scenario 1 ......................................................................................................................... 50 5.2.2 Scenario 2 ......................................................................................................................... 53 5.2.3 Scenario 3 ......................................................................................................................... 56 5.3 Summary of Species Viability ................................................................................................. 59 3 CHAPTER