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Local Species Information - Siskiyou Mountains (Plethodon stormi) and Scott Bar (Plethodon asupak) Salamanders
Scott Bar salamanders. Photo by Sam Cuenca, Klamath National Forest. General Information Status: Not listed Petition for Listing: Petitioned for listing on June 18, 2004 90-day finding: Negative 90-day finding on April 25, 2006 Positive 90-day finding on March 29, 2007 12-Month Finding: Listing not warranted on January 24, 2008 Natural History Background Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders are closely related species that use similar habitats. These species also have similar markings, which makes it difficult to distinguish between them in the field. Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders are endemic to the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon and northern California. Both species are members of the Plethodontidae family. Plethodontids are terrestrial salamanders that breathe through their skin because they do not have lungs. These salamanders are thought to inhabit cool, moist environments to prevent significant water loss through their skin. The petition to list these salamanders cited habitat loss as a major factor for listing as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The evaluation of threats to the Siskiyou Mountains salamander, as described in the 12-month finding, determined that the species will continue to exist in a well-distributed, viable population into the future. Identifying Characteristics Markings: Adults of both species are light purplish-brown and finely speckled with white to yellow flecks concentrated on their sides and limbs. Juvenile salamanders have a bronze to copper stripe that runs the length of their back; this dorsal stripe is often present on adults. Adults typically measure 4.3 to 5.5 inches (11 to 14 cm) in total length.
Look-a-like Salamanders: Del Norte Salamander (Plethodon elongatus) Del Norte salamanders may be found in close proximity to the Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders along the Klamath River in the interior Siskiyou Mountains. Adult Del Norte salamanders are chocolate to purplish-brown with pale speckling on top and fine white flecks on sides. Juveniles have a reddish-brown or tan stripe along the back. Del Norte salamanders have shorter limbs, shorter body length, and smaller heads than Siskiyou Mountains or Scott Bar salamanders.
Del Norte salamander. Photo by ©2009 William Flaxington.
Black Salamander (Aneides flavipunctatus) Black salamanders are found in a similar geographic area to the Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders. Adult black salamanders can range in color from solid black to gray, and may have white to yellow flecks or spots on the back. Juveniles are black with yellow or green patches under the point where legs join the body.
Female black salamander. Photo by Sam Cuenca, Klamath National Forest.
Ensatina Salamander (Ensatina eschscholtzii) Ensatina salamanders are found in a similar geographic area to the Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders. Adult Ensatina have light to dark brown backs with small yellow-orange flecks. The point where legs attach to the body is marked by a yellow to orange patch. Juvenile Ensatina look very similar to adults, only smaller. The tail of Ensatina is constricted where it meets the body, providing another way to tell this species from similar looking salamanders.
Adult and juvenile Ensatina salamander. Photo by Sam Cuenca, Klamath National Forest. Geographic Range The range of the Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders includes portions of Oregon and California. Within those states, these salamanders are only known to occur in the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains.  Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders are found in Oregon and California. The black box shows the approximate geographic range of these species within Oregon and California.
Habitat Because Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders require contact with moisture to breathe through their skin, the species are thought to be restricted to moist microhabitats. Microclimate conditions that have historically been associated with these salamanders include cool and moist talus (loose surface rock) slopes on a northern facing exposure within mature and old-growth forest. The talus slopes provide essential spaces into which these animals can retreat from the climatic extremes of the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains. Recent surveys have detected Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders in drier environments within early seral stage stands.
Talus slope. USFWS file photo.
Prey Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders prey on a variety of small invertebrates including spiders, pseudo-scorpions, mites, ants, and beetles. Foraging only occurs during brief periods of surface activity when cool, moist conditions persist.
Reproduction Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders are terrestrial and do not need standing or moving water for reproduction. Although nests of these species have not been found, eggs are thought to be laid in small clusters deep in moist, rocky substrates. Eggs likely hatch in autumn and juveniles become active on the surface in the following spring. These salamanders appear to become reproductively mature at 5 to 6 years and females likely breed every other year.
Current Information A list of literature pertaining to Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders is available here. Additional literature citations will be added to this list as they become available.
Conservation Actions Habitat Conservation Plan There are no Habitat Conservation Plans for the Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders. For more information on Habitat Conservation Plans, click here Safe Harbor Agreement There are no Safe Harbor Agreements for the Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders. For more information on Safe Harbor Agreements, click here Candidate Conservation Agreements There is one Candidate Conservation Agreement for the Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders. For more information on Candidate Conservation Agreements, click here Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances There are no Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances for the Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar salamanders. For more information on Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances, click here. Links for More Information National USFWS Siskiyou Mountains Salamander Species Profile Federal Register Notices & Documents Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office Siskiyou Mountains and Scott Bar Salamander Project |
