Michael S. Hayslett

Lynchburg, Virginia

The annual Spring Meeting of the Virginia Herpetological Society was held on May 2-3 in the counties of Smyth, Washington, and Grayson, with the base for field excursions being Hungry Mother State Park near Marion. The "Spectacular Southwest" has perhaps the most unique diversity of herptofauna for the Commonwealth, especially in the realm of salamanders, and provided for many the opportunity to experience "first encounters" with some fascinating species of herps.

Most of the 19 attendants arrived at Hungry Mother on Saturday morning with introductions and getting re-acquainted lasting until about noon, at which time a caravan assembled, beginning the weekend's forays to observe the regional "herp-diversity".

We traveled north along Primary Route 6 to the southeast side of Walker Mountain's summit in Smyth county for our fist site. Here we examined rock outcroppings, rip-rap embankments, and a roadside dumpsite with the hope of discovering snake species. As any good herpetologist knows, man-made debris (boards, tires, appliances, etc.), though unsightly and environmentally irresponsible when "dumped" in the wild, often provides acceptable habitat for snakes and other herps, by the protection and cool, moist microclimate that is created by the surface area of such objects. Unfortunately, some other factors were at work here, as we found only one Redback salamander (Plethodon cinereus) under the debris, a small Northern Ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus) under a log, and an Eastern Garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) a bit downslope from the site.

Our convoy moved on to the summit of the mountain, where we stopped at the site of an electrical station and powerline right-of-way, situated at approximately 1120 m elevation. The crest and surrounding slopes had sufficient cover: outcrops, fallen trees, and strewn boulders, but the group's searching only uncovered the Ravine salamander (Plethodon richmondi) here. Despite it's slow beginning, our outing soon picked up in excitement and productivity.

Descending Walker Mountain along its northwest slope, we paused by the east shoulder to explore seeping, sheer shalebluff habitats. Along the rock ledges were found variable-patterned Mountain dusky salamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus), and nearby in a steep, rocky ravine several robust Northern Slimy salamanders (Plethodon glutinosus) were located under large loose stones. Don Merkle proved you don't always have to travel far from the vehicles to fine herps - he caught the second Garter snake of the day - crawling under his feet!

North of the mountain, in the valley below, we proceeded in a westerly direction along Va. Rt. 610 to 629 and immediately encountered an unfortunate but common occurrence in the herpetological world - a DOR snake. The species was the Eastern Milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum), and Joe Mitchell retained this specimen for preservation.

Our fourth site provided a switch from primarily terrestrial habitats to alluvial floodplain and riverine ones. Our team of researchers and enthusiasts dispersed from the vehicles at the bridge over the north fork of the Holston River, and explored microhabitats upstream and down. From the bridge many of us observed common Map turtles (Graptemys geographica) through our field glasses as they basked on streamside logs. Among the numerous turtles was an impressive, dinner-plate sized female that was dominating the best of the sunny spots. This site represents a notable riverine range extension for this species, as did the presence of Map turtles at the last of our subsequent sites on the foray. This find extends the previously know site (Saltville) by approximately 40-50 km (Kurt Buhlmann, pers. comm.). Also captured here was the Common Musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) which possessed a unique morphological feature not found in members of this species from the Piedmont and points east - enlarged palatal crushing surfaces for crushing the snails they consume in their aquatic environment (Joe Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Salamanders located under cover objects along trailside and streamside microhabitats below the bridge included Redback (Plethodon cinereus), Ravine (P. richmondi), Seal (Desmognathus monticola), and Northern Dusky (Desmognathus fuscus) salamanders. A Red Eft (Notophthalmus viridescens) was also found on the surface, but the most memorable find here was the golden Longtail salamander (Eurycea longicauda), of which there were two discovered under stones along the trail on the Holston's south bank. This unique north-facing slope was dominated by a stand of Arbor vitae (Thuja accidentalis). Anurans found on the riverbank were the Pickerel frog (Rana palustris) and the American toad (Bufo americanus). Finally, two snake species were observed a this site - the Northern Water snake (Nerodia sipedon) and yet another Eastern Garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis).

Although a sizable brigade assembled for seining operations in the riffles downstream from the bridge, their efforts were unsuccessful in producing any specimens of the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis), which all had hoped to find.

Following the river downstream, via primary Rt. 42/92, our fifth foray site was located at the intersection of Va. 630, where turtle basket traps had been placed in the stream the previous evening. The setup yielded Common Musk (Sternotherus odoratus) and a Common Snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) that was nearly too large to be removed from the wire cage. Unfortunately, dipnetting for Hellbenders under streambed rocks proved unsuccessful at this location also.

Further downstream, we made our final stop for the afternoon, at a site 1.1 km E of McCready. Here the trap contained another Common Snapper, and the second range extension for the Common Map turtle. An immature female (carapace 93.5 mm, plastron 82.5 mm, 95 g body wt.) was collected for deposition in the Smithsonian as a voucher specimen. A Southern Two-lined salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) was sighted swimming at streamside at this site on the Holston.

The group stopped at an ice cream stand before returning to Hungry Mother, unaware that at least two other teams had dispersed and made herpetological discoveries of their own.

One group had spent the previous night at the Grindstone Campground in the Mount Rodgers National Recreation Area, where they had heard Spring Peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) calling and found a DOR Northern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) on Rt. 603. These two herpteams visited Clinch Mountain in Washington County where they found Seal (Desmognathus monticola), Northern Dusky (Desmognathus fuscus), and Northern Slimy (Plethodon glutinosus) salamanders, as well as the Eastern Garter snake (Thamophis sirtalis), and the Ravine salamander (Plethodon richmondi) (the most frequently encountered species during the meeting). They then proceeded to Laurel Bed Lake along the Russell/Smyth county line where they noted Red-spotted Newts (Notophthalmus viridescens), the Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), and a Northern Water snake (Nerodia sipedon) along the lake's shoreline environment.

When our convoy rendezvoused at Hungry Mother, we learned from the others that in addition to five of the species we had encountered, they had also found the Northern Spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) within the state park.

A spaghetti dinner ensued and the evening relaxed into an enjoyable time of conversation and recounting of herp happenings.

By the time night had fallen, however, these die-hard herpetology enthusiasts had acquired their "second-wind" and were "beaming" for more of the herp-search excitement. About a dozen intrepid souls drove into the night to reach Hayter's Gap on Little Mountain in northeast Washington county. Here we hiked to search seeping rock crevices at roadside cuts where we discovered a variety of terrestrial salamanders engaged in nocturnal activities: Ravine (P. richmondi), Mountain Dusky (D. ochrophaeus), and Seal salamanders (D. monticola), and the Red Eft (N. viridescens); however, by far the most abundant species found in these "cavernous" micro-habitats was the Northern Slimy salamander (P. glutinosus), of which we saw dozens that were surface active. Northern Spring (G. porphyriticus) and Longtail salamanders (E. longicauda) were found in the wet, roadside ditches, and a Northern Ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus) was observed foraging along the roadside ledges.

Our first unique find of the night was the discovery of a Cumberland Plateau (Plethodon kentucki) salamander, a robust Slimy salamander relative. The fog-laden atmosphere gave way to mild rains, and the herpetologist's "favorite" conditions provided the setting for our "treasure" of the night - the Green salamander (Aneides aeneus). Norm Reichenbach was the first to discover one of these chartreuse, lichen-patterned beauties. With their enlarged toe pads, the Green salamanders can climb vertically along the extended shale ledges and outcrops, where the group observed two more. The dripping, moss-covered shelves create the microclimate preferred by this unique, single-species-representative of its genus in the southern Appalachians.

Thus our long, action-packed day and night of herping ended back at our cabins in the early morning hours of the next day.

Sunday morning, May 3, began comfortably with "all the modern conveniences" in our park accommodations, and provided adequate re-cooperation for another intensive day afield.

With new arrivals, our largest weekend motorcade proceeded on to the Mount Rodgers National Recreation area, "the salamander capitol of the East", with a diversity that exceeds the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for number of species present.

As we ascended toward Elk Garden Gap in Smyth County, we encountered another Eastern Milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) roadkill on Va. Rt. 600.

The team explored a tributary in the Big Laurel Creek drainage where we uncovered Northern Dusky (D. fuscus), Southern Two-lined (E. cirrigera), Northern Spring (G. porphyriticus), and Blackbelly (Desmognathus quadramaculatus) salamanders under stones in and along the mountain stream. On the surrounding slopes, the sleek gray "Metcalf's race" of Jordan's salamander (Plethodon jordani) was common under decaying logs and debris. But our targeted species for discovery here was the rare Shovelnose salamander (Leurognathus marmoratus), the caudate with one of the most restricted ranges in the Commonwealth.

Some larvae had been located in the stream's pale, pebble-bottomed substrate, but no adults, that is, not until we were preparing to leave, when recent VHS member Gordon Wilson, made a final thrust of his dipnet into a pool, and produced a beautiful, five-inch adult. The group was awed by the unique opportunity to view this rarely seen animal, and many camera shutters clicked before the cat-eyed wonder was released.

Our tenth site of the weekend was the tri-county summit of Whitetop Mountain, where the group explored the remnant red spruce forests of the boreal crestzone, "on the top" of Virginia at 1640 m (5100 feet) elevation.

Under foot-thick moss mats and decaying conifer logs were found Redback (P. cinereus), Mountain Dusky (D. ochrophaeus), and abundant Jordan's salamanders (P. jordani), and copper-studded Weller's salamander (Plethodon welleri), and the herringbone-backed Pygmy salamander (Desmognathus wrighti), Virginia's smallest salamander species. These latter two species reach the northern limits of their range in the populations of the Mount Rodgers region, where these Special Concern Species are rare.

Here in this specially managed "preserve" area for salamanders, conservation was stressed through a "no collection" policy; this "catch and release" emphasis was observed throughout the meeting forays, with the only exceptions being vouchers for the distributional confirmation of a few previously-mentioned species.

Descending the peak, a subteam tarried at Whitetop Creek where they encountered the Blue Ridge Two-lined salamander (Eurycea wilderae), along with more Mountain Duskies (D. ochrophaeus), beneath riparian rockcover.

The twelfth and final foray site of the spring meeting was amid the lower slopes of Whitetop's southeastern base. On these rocky, hardwood ridges were found Redback (P. cinereus) and Ravine (P. richmondi), Jordan's (P. jordani) and Mountain Dusky (D. ochrophaeus) salamanders. also under the rotten logs, we unearthed another caudate treasure (and perhaps the author's favorite) the magnificent Yonahlossee salamander (Plethodon yonahlossee), heftiest of the Plethodontids, with its brick red "road" of namesake "meandering" down its coal-black back.

Not surprisingly, the site of the 1992 VHS Spring Meeting - the "Spectacular Southwest" lived up to its reputation and our expectations for observing incredible herpetological diversity, with many photos and fond memories, the members dispersed for their respective destinations, ending a truly memorable gathering for the Society.

Summary Checklist of Species Encountered

During Spring Meeting Weekend

Amphibians

Aneides aeneus (Green salamander)

Desmognathus f. fuscus (Northern Dusky salamander)

D. monticola (Seal salamander)

D. ochrophaeus (Mountain Dusky salamander)

D. quadramaculatus (Blackbelly salamander)

D. wrighti (Pigmy salamander)

Eurycea cirrigera (Southern Two-lined salamander)

E. l. longicauda (Longtail salamander)

E. wilderae (Blue Ridge Two-lined salamander)

Gyrinophilus p. porphyriticus (Northern Spring salamander)

Leurognathus marmoratus (Shovelnose salamander)

Notophthalmus v. viridescens (Red Eft/Red-spotted Newt)

Plethodon cinereus (Redback salamander)

P. glutinosus (Northern Slimy salamander)

P. jordani (Jordan's salamander)

P. kentucki (Cumberland Plateau salamander)

P. richmondi (Ravine salamander)

P. welleri (Weller's salamander)

P. yonahlossee (Yonahlossee salamander)

Bufo americanus (American toad)

Hyla crucifer (Spring Peeper)

Rana catesbeiana (Bullfrog)

R. palustris (Pickerel frog)

Reptiles

Coluber c. constrictor (Northern Black Racer)

Diadophis punctatus edwardsii (Northern Ringneck snake)

Lampropeltis t. traingulum (Eastern Milk snake)

Nerodia s. sipedon (Northern Water snake)

Thamnophis s. sirtalis (Eastern Garter snake)

Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping turtle)

Graptemys geographica (Common Map turtle)

Sternotherus odoratus (Common Musk turtle)

Totals

Salamanders 19

Frogs and Toads 4

Snakes 5

Turtles 3

Total # species 31

(a 6 species increase from 1991)

1992 Spring Meeting Attendants

Kurt Buhlmann

Hannah Donahue

Mike Donahue

Chris D'Orgeix

Ned Gilmore

Michael Hayslett

Don Mackler

Don Merkle

Joe Mithcell

Justin Mitchell

Julie Ohanesian

Norman Reichenbach

Paul Sattler

Larry Smith

Mike Smith

Walker Smith

Terry Spohn

Phil Stevenson

Gordon Wilson

Total: 19 individuals