Smith, Charles C.

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Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science Volume 14 Article 6 1960 Notes on the Salamanders of Arkansas #2 The Status of Desmognathus in Arkansas Charles C. Smith Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas  Part of the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Smith, Charles C. (1960) "Notes on the Salamanders of Arkansas #2 The Status of Desmognathus in Arkansas," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 14 , Article 6. Available at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/6 This article is available for use under the Creative Commons license: Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0). Users are able to read, download, copy, print, distribute, search, link to the full texts of these articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact scholar@uark.edu. NOTES ON THE SALAMANDERS OF ARKANSAS#2 The Status of Desmoqnathus in ArkansasCharles C. SmithArkansas CollegeSeveral workers have at different times dealt with the salamanders of the genus Desmognathus in Arkansas and adjacent statesThe most comprehensive work is that of Grobman (1950) who summarizes the information on the distribution of the races of Desmognathus fuscus in the southern states as he could interpret data available up to 1950. He also discusses the color differences betweeDesmognathus fuscus auriculatus (Holbrook) and Desmognathus fuscus brimleyorum Stejneger intheir respective ranges . Grobman listcollections in Arkansas from Eureka Springs (northwest), WalnuRidge (northeast) ,Forrest City (east central) , as well as severasouth of the Arkansas River. Dowling (1957) states that it is doubtful whether any species of Desmognathus occur north of the Arkansas River in Arkansas. Rossman (1958) recognizes a new raceDesmognathus fuscus conantl Rossman, with a range that includeWest Tennessee.The writer had occasion in the spring of 1958 to make severacollections of salamanders in the western part of Arkansas south othe Arkansas River. From several small streams southwest of HoSprings many specimens of Desmognathus fuscus were obtainedAll were of the race brimleyorum according to available literature(Bishop 1S43). In the collections were specimens that were quitelike the race auriculatus and some very near the race Desmognathusfuscus fuscus (Rafinesque) .IIdecided that the problem deserved more study so Imade a four-9k reconnaissance trip through Mississippi, Alabama, FloridaDrgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennesseecollect specimens. Additional trips into Missouri, Mississippimessee, and throughout Arkansas were made. Approximately 600icimens of D_. fuscus races were collected. In many cases thenber of specimens per collection was small; in others numerous.:en as a whole the series presents a much clearer picture thanaid be possible from miscellaneous collections taken at variouses by various people.PROCEDURECollections were made in small streams and around springs.KFinancial assistance provided by Arkansas College is acknow-ed.14Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 6Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 196015NOTES ON THE SALAMANDERS OF ARKANSASUsually it is necessary to stir and move leaves, bark, stones, and3ss in order to locate specimens. These are capturedby hand orswept into a dip net. Because of their extreme agility, capture isoften difficult. Field preservation was in 5% formalin solution, per-manent storage in 50% isopropyl alcohol.Collections were made from the following areas:Garland County, Arkansas 103Logan County, Arkansas 34St. Francis County, Arkansas 9Cross County, Arkansas 185Baxter County , Arkansas 4Marshall County, MississippiLauderdale County, Tennessee 85Henderson County, TennesseeTuscaloosa ,Alabama 21Alachua County, Florida 25Western North Carolina 37Collections have been made from some of the Crowley Ridgelocations at different seasons of the year in order to followchangesin the color pattern.The following measurements were recorded in millimeters forIhspecimen: head width, gular to snout length, total length,y length, center of gular to post anal. Figures for each sex wereraged and itwas found that measurements of both sexes wereut the same so they were combined to arrive at the figures inle I. This table is made up of ratios and percentages for fourspecies of Desmognathus as indicated, with three populationsamples of E). f_. conantl.Identification follows Bishop (1943) withthe exception of D_. f_.conanti Rossman. This subspecies was named in 1958 by Rossman(1958). Mr. Rossman has examined the collections from CrowleyRidge, Arkansas; Ripley, Tennessee; and Tuscaloosa, Alabama andhas identified them as belonging to the subspecies conanti.DISCUSSIONData in the top row of Table Iare from specimens collected inthe mountains of western North Carolina . Only 34 specimens wereavailable for measuring, but the data gives an idea of what fuscusis from a morphological standpoint. The gular to snout length inrelation to body length is greater than the other races measured andthe percentage of tail in total length is less than D_. f_. conanti andaurlculatus . but greater than brlmleyorum.Three populations identified as conanti by Rossman who de-scribed the subspecies, were sampled. A total of 2 80 specimenswere collected. The three populations are roughly north to southin orientation. The Crowley Ridge population is about 80 miles west15Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 6https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/6Gular to Trunk Body Tail % tion with tion with Number of* Snout Gular to Head w Total Pigmented Lateral SpecimensHead W Snout Length Venters White DotsDesmognathusfuscus fuscus 1.28 3.38 5.70 46. 43 58 34North CarolinaDesmognathusfuscus conanti 1.37 3.45 6.24 47.6 94 75 40Lauderdale, Tenn.Desmognathusfuscus conanti 1.31 3.56 6.10 47.8 60 40 21Tuscaloosa ,Ala.Desmognathusfuscus conanti 1.25 3.62 6.13 47.8 98 29 60ArkansasDesmognathus fuscusbrimleyorum 1.39 3.55 6.35 44.00 93 89 40ArkansasDesmognathus fuscusaurlculatus 1.22 4.12 6.24 49.3 100 96 26Florida*Divided by.EXPLANATION: Gular to snout is from center of gular fold to tip of snout. Head widthis widest part ofhead.Trunk is from center of gular to post anal. Body is from tip of snout to post anal. Tall measured only where noregeneration obvious. Pigment onventer represents alldegrees from light mottling toalmost black. Lateral whitedots includes those present on body segments between axilla and on sides of tail. 16Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 6Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 196017NOTES ON THE SALAMANDERS OF ARKANSASof the Rlpley, Tennessee population, with theMississippi River be-tween them. The Tuscaloosa population is about 150 miles southand 100 miles east of the Ripley population.The measurements for the three populations are very close . TheTuscaloosa population is the lightest in color and has more individ-uals withunspotted throats and venters. For purposes of compari-son, the measurements of a population of auriculatus collected nearGainesville, Florida are presented in the bottom row. This race hasa shorter head and longer tail than brimleyorum or conanti. Theoverall coloration approaches black in most specimens , with mark-ings obscured by the heavy dark color. The young are marked aboutlike the young of other races .Brimleyorum has a slightly narrower head than any other race.The data on brimleyorum from Hot Springs ,Arkansas and conanti fromCrowley Ridge show that brimleyorum has a shorter tail; otherwisein size and markings they are very similar. Brimleyorum is darkerin overall coloration than conanti, approaching auriculatus inthisrespect, but withmore brown than black pigment. Both races havethe majority of the individuals with mottled throats and venters anda high percentage of both have a rowof white dots on the sides be-tween the axilla and extending onto the sides of the tail.The collections of Desmognathus from south of the ArkansasRiver are shown tobe distinct from the other recognized races of thespecies inonly one respect; that is, in taillength. This study ver-ifies the work of Rossman (1958) who found brimleyorum to have atail length less than 46% of total length and conanti greater. Colorpattern alone cannot be used for positive fieldidentification of co-Eti andbrimleyorum because the general coloration and pattern areliable in both races and inthe case of conanti, at least, varythe seasons .ICollections of conanti were made January 1,March 14,May 16,le 13,August 31,and November 15 fromColdwater Springs or near-springs on Crowley Ridge. The specimens collected in March,y, and June were generally lighter inoverall pigmentation and onst the dorsal pattern is much more distinct than specimens col-ted inAugust, November, or January. Also the mottling on theiter is much more pronounced on specimens collected during theiter months .IThe Crowley Ridge, Arkansas, western Tennessee, and north-Alabama collections which have been designated as conanti bysman are all very close in physical measurements and obviouslyesent a wide-spread race of the sandy soils of the highlands oisouthern states. Measurements of a good number of specimensione site should provide identification. Conanti can be sepa-d from brimleyorum by the greater tail length and from fuscus byshorter body length of the latter (body/head w-5.70 in fuscus,)-6:20 in conanti).17Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 6https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/618ARKANSAS ACADEMYOF SCIENCEPgeneral resemblance of brlmleyorum inits southern rangeatus is more in color than in morphology. The populationatus collected at Gainesville, Florida, has the greatestre of taillength of any race in this study and the shortestir to snout/head w ratio-1.22 auriculatus; 1.39 brimley-With the finding of the colony of Desmognathus at Flippin inBaxter County, Arkansas, there is no reason to doubt the correct-ness of the locations at Eureka Springs and Walnut Ridge by Grob-man and Bishop as was done by Dowling (1957). The abundance oDesmognathus fuscus conanti in Crowley Ridge removes all doubtabout the presence of Desmognathus north of the Arkansas River ineastern Arkansas. This study reveals that the range of conanti ex-tends over at least the northeast fourth of Arkansas.SUMMARY¦ Races of Desmognathus fuscus are to be found inall parts ofthe state.IDesmognathus fuscusbrimleyorum Stejneger is a form found inthe rocky hills and mountains of Arkansas (Ouachita Mountainsin southwest, Ozark Mountains in northwest and in the high-lands of southeast Atlantic states). At three points Desmogna-thus has been collected near the Missouriline(Eureka SpringsFlippin,and Walnut Ridge) so itis reasonable to expect that iwillbe found inMissouri although unreported up to the presentIDesmognathus fuscus conanti Rossman is a form found in areasbuiltup of loess or alluvial sand inArkansas and western Ten-nessee. This form is closely related to both fuscus and brim-leyorum,but this study shows that the three races are distinctmorphologically .IPopulations of salamanders from Arkansas and Tennessee havebeen compared with populations of auriculatus from Florida andfuscus from North Carolina and their likenesses and differen-ces shown.IColorationis not a reliable guide in the identification of Des-mognathus, but furnishes helpful clues to identification estab-lished on a morphological basis.¦ This study reveals for the first time the extent of the range ofDesmognathus fuscus conanti in a large part of Arkansas .LITERATURE CITED¦hop, Sherman C. 1943. Handbook of Salamanders. ComestockPublishing Company, Ithaca, New York.18Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 6Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 196019NOTES ON THE SALAMANDERS OF ARKANSASGrobman, Arnold B. 1950. The Distribution of the Races of Des-mognathus fuscus inthe Southern States. Chicago Acad. Sc. ,Nat. Hist. Misc. No. 70:1-8.Dowling, Herndon G. 1957. A Review of the Amphibians and Rep-tiles of Arkansas. Occ. Papers No. 3, University of ArkansasMuseum.Rossman, Douglas A. 1958. A New Race of Desmognathus fuscusfrom the South-Central United States. Herpetologica 14:158-160.19Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 6https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/6

Notes on the Salamanders of Arkansas  #2 The Status of Desmognathus in Arkansas

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Journal of the Arkansas Academy of ScienceVolume 14 Article 61960Notes on the Salamanders of Arkansas #2 TheStatus of Desmognathus in ArkansasCharles C. SmithFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaasPart of the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons, and the Zoology CommonsThis article is available for use under the Creative Commons license: Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0). Users are able toread, download, copy, print, distribute, search, link to the full texts of these articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking priorpermission from the publisher or the author.This Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Arkansas Academyof Science by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact scholar@uark.edu, ccmiddle@uark.edu.Recommended CitationSmith, Charles C. (1960) "Notes on the Salamanders of Arkansas #2 The Status of Desmognathus in Arkansas," Journal of the ArkansasAcademy of Science: Vol. 14 , Article 6.Available at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/6NOTES ON THE SALAMANDERS OF ARKANSAS#2 The Status of Desmoqnathus in ArkansasCharles C. SmithArkansas CollegeSeveral workers have at different times dealt with the salamanders of the genus Desmognathus in Arkansas and adjacent statesThe most comprehensive work is that of Grobman (1950) who summarizes the information on the distribution of the races of Desmognathus fuscus in the southern states as he could interpret data available up to 1950. He also discusses the color differences betweeDesmognathus fuscus auriculatus (Holbrook) and Desmognathus fuscus brimleyorum Stejneger intheir respective ranges . Grobman listcollections in Arkansas from Eureka Springs (northwest), WalnuRidge (northeast) ,Forrest City (east central) , as well as severasouth of the Arkansas River. Dowling (1957) states that it is doubtful whether any species of Desmognathus occur north of the Arkansas River in Arkansas. Rossman (1958) recognizes a new raceDesmognathus fuscus conantl Rossman, with a range that includeWest Tennessee.The writer had occasion in the spring of 1958 to make severacollections of salamanders in the western part of Arkansas south othe Arkansas River. From several small streams southwest of HoSprings many specimens of Desmognathus fuscus were obtainedAll were of the race brimleyorum according to available literature(Bishop 1S43). In the collections were specimens that were quitelike the race auriculatus and some very near the race Desmognathusfuscus fuscus (Rafinesque) .IIdecided that the problem deserved more study so Imade a four-9k reconnaissance trip through Mississippi, Alabama, FloridaDrgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennesseecollect specimens. Additional trips into Missouri, Mississippimessee, and throughout Arkansas were made. Approximately 600icimens of D_. fuscus races were collected. In many cases thenber of specimens per collection was small; in others numerous.:en as a whole the series presents a much clearer picture thanaid be possible from miscellaneous collections taken at variouses by various people.PROCEDURECollections were made in small streams and around springs.KFinancial assistance provided by Arkansas College is acknow-ed.14Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 6Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 196015NOTES ON THE SALAMANDERS OF ARKANSASUsually it is necessary to stir and move leaves, bark, stones, and3ss in order to locate specimens. These are captured by hand orswept into a dip net. Because of their extreme agility, capture isoften difficult. Field preservation was in 5% formalin solution, per-manent storage in 50% isopropyl alcohol.Collections were made from the following areas:Garland County, Arkansas 103Logan County, Arkansas 34St. Francis County, Arkansas 9Cross County, Arkansas 185Baxter County , Arkansas 4Marshall County, MississippiLauderdale County, Tennessee 85Henderson County, TennesseeTuscaloosa ,Alabama 21Alachua County, Florida 25Western North Carolina 37Collections have been made from some of the Crowley Ridgelocations at different seasons of the year in order to followchangesin the color pattern.The following measurements were recorded in millimeters forIh specimen: head width, gular to snout length, total length,y length, center of gular to post anal. Figures for each sex wereraged and itwas found that measurements of both sexes wereut the same so they were combined to arrive at the figures inle I. This table is made up of ratios and percentages for fourspecies of Desmognathus as indicated, with three populationsamples of E). f_. conantl.Identification follows Bishop (1943) withthe exception of D_. f_.conanti Rossman. This subspecies was named in 1958 by Rossman(1958). Mr. Rossman has examined the collections from CrowleyRidge, Arkansas; Ripley, Tennessee; and Tuscaloosa, Alabama andhas identified them as belonging to the subspecies conanti.DISCUSSIONData in the top row of Table Iare from specimens collected inthe mountains of western North Carolina . Only 34 specimens wereavailable for measuring, but the data gives an idea of what fuscusis from a morphological standpoint. The gular to snout length inrelation to body length is greater than the other races measured andthe percentage of tail in total length is less than D_. f_. conanti andaurlculatus . but greater than brlmleyorum.Three populations identified as conanti by Rossman who de-scribed the subspecies, were sampled. A total of 2 80 specimenswere collected. The three populations are roughly north to southin orientation. The Crowley Ridge population is about 80 miles west15Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 6http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/6Gular to Trunk Body Tail % tion with tion with Number of* Snout Gular to Head w Total Pigmented Lateral SpecimensHead W Snout Length Venters White DotsDesmognathusfuscus fuscus 1.28 3.38 5.70 46. 43 58 34North CarolinaDesmognathusfuscus conanti 1.37 3.45 6.24 47.6 94 75 40Lauderdale, Tenn.Desmognathusfuscus conanti 1.31 3.56 6.10 47.8 60 40 21Tuscaloosa ,Ala.Desmognathusfuscus conanti 1.25 3.62 6.13 47.8 98 29 60ArkansasDesmognathus fuscusbrimleyorum 1.39 3.55 6.35 44.00 93 89 40ArkansasDesmognathus fuscusaurlculatus 1.22 4.12 6.24 49.3 100 96 26Florida*Divided by.EXPLANATION: Gular to snout is from center of gular fold to tip of snout. Head widthis widest part ofhead.Trunk is from center of gular to post anal. Body is from tip of snout to post anal. Tall measured only where noregeneration obvious. Pigment onventer represents alldegrees from light mottling toalmost black. Lateral whitedots includes those present on body segments between axilla and on sides of tail. 16Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 6Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 196017NOTES ON THE SALAMANDERS OF ARKANSASof the Rlpley, Tennessee population, with the Mississippi River be-tween them. The Tuscaloosa population is about 150 miles southand 100 miles east of the Ripley population.The measurements for the three populations are very close . TheTuscaloosa population is the lightest in color and has more individ-uals withunspotted throats and venters. For purposes of compari-son, the measurements of a population of auriculatus collected nearGainesville, Florida are presented in the bottom row. This race hasa shorter head and longer tail than brimleyorum or conanti. Theoverall coloration approaches black in most specimens , with mark-ings obscured by the heavy dark color. The young are marked aboutlike the young of other races .Brimleyorum has a slightly narrower head than any other race.The data on brimleyorum from Hot Springs ,Arkansas and conanti fromCrowley Ridge show that brimleyorum has a shorter tail; otherwisein size and markings they are very similar. Brimleyorum is darkerin overall coloration than conanti, approaching auriculatus inthisrespect, but withmore brown than black pigment. Both races havethe majority of the individuals with mottled throats and venters anda high percentage of both have a rowof white dots on the sides be-tween the axilla and extending onto the sides of the tail.The collections of Desmognathus from south of the ArkansasRiver are shown tobe distinct from the other recognized races of thespecies inonly one respect; that is, in taillength. This study ver-ifies the work of Rossman (1958) who found brimleyorum to have atail length less than 46% of total length and conanti greater. Colorpattern alone cannot be used for positive fieldidentification of co-Eti and brimleyorum because the general coloration and pattern areliable in both races and inthe case of conanti, at least, varythe seasons .ICollections of conanti were made January 1,March 14,May 16,le 13,August 31,and November 15 fromColdwater Springs or near-springs on Crowley Ridge. The specimens collected in March,y, and June were generally lighter inoverall pigmentation and onst the dorsal pattern is much more distinct than specimens col-ted inAugust, November, or January. Also the mottling on theiter is much more pronounced on specimens collected during theiter months .ITheCrowley Ridge, Arkansas, western Tennessee, and north-Alabama collections which have been designated as conanti bysman are all very close in physical measurements and obviouslyesent a wide-spread race of the sandy soils of the highlands oisouthern states. Measurements of a good number of specimensione site should provide identification. Conanti can be sepa-d from brimleyorum by the greater tail length and from fuscus byshorter body length of the latter (body/head w - 5.70 in fuscus,)-6:20 in conanti).17Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 6http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/618ARKANSAS ACADEMYOF SCIENCEP general resemblance of brlmleyorum inits southern rangeatus is more in color than in morphology. The populationatus collected at Gainesville, Florida, has the greatestre of taillength of any race in this study and the shortestir to snout/head w ratio - 1.22 auriculatus; 1.39 brimley-With the finding of the colony of Desmognathus at Flippin inBaxter County, Arkansas, there is no reason to doubt the correct-ness of the locations at Eureka Springs and Walnut Ridge by Grob-man and Bishop as was done by Dowling (1957). The abundance oDesmognathus fuscus conanti in Crowley Ridge removes all doubtabout the presence of Desmognathus north of the Arkansas River ineastern Arkansas. This study reveals that the range of conanti ex-tends over at least the northeast fourth of Arkansas.SUMMARY¦ Races of Desmognathus fuscus are to be found inall parts ofthe state.IDesmognathus fuscus brimleyorum Stejneger is a form found inthe rocky hills and mountains of Arkansas (Ouachita Mountainsin southwest, Ozark Mountains in northwest and in the high-lands of southeast Atlantic states). At three points Desmogna-thus has been collected near the Missouriline(Eureka SpringsFlippin,and Walnut Ridge) so itis reasonable to expect that iwillbe found inMissouri although unreported up to the presentIDesmognathus fuscus conanti Rossman is a form found in areasbuiltup of loess or alluvial sand inArkansas and western Ten-nessee. This form is closely related to both fuscus and brim-leyorum,but this study shows that the three races are distinctmorphologically .IPopulations of salamanders from Arkansas and Tennessee havebeen compared with populations of auriculatus from Florida andfuscus from North Carolina and their likenesses and differen-ces shown.IColoration is not a reliable guide in the identification of Des-mognathus, but furnishes helpful clues to identification estab-lished on a morphological basis.¦ This study reveals for the first time the extent of the range ofDesmognathus fuscus conanti in a large part of Arkansas .LITERATURE CITED¦hop, Sherman C. 1943. Handbook of Salamanders. ComestockPublishing Company, Ithaca, New York.18Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 6Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 196019NOTES ON THE SALAMANDERS OF ARKANSASGrobman, Arnold B. 1950. The Distribution of the Races of Des-mognathus fuscus inthe Southern States. Chicago Acad. Sc. ,Nat. Hist. Misc. No. 70:1-8.Dowling, Herndon G. 1957. A Review of the Amphibians and Rep-tiles of Arkansas. Occ. Papers No. 3, University of ArkansasMuseum.Rossman, Douglas A. 1958. A New Race of Desmognathus fuscusfrom the South-Central United States. Herpetologica 14:158-160.19Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 14 [1960], Art. 6http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol14/iss1/6

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Notes on the Salamanders of Arkansas #2 The Status of Desmognathus in Arkansas

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