Herpetofaunal Survey of Sherando Lake

Recreation Area, Loves Run Pond Complex,

Green Pond, and Humpback Rocks

(2002.  Catesbeiana 22(1): 3-13)  

Jason D. Gibson

181 Samuel Court

Danville, Virginia 24540

The Virginia Herpetological Society annually selects a site to survey within the state of Virginia. These surveys have been traditionally conducted in areas that are in need of survey effort and in search of new locations of particular species.  Through these surveys, it is the aim of the VHS to obtain distributional information, behavioral and morphological data, and relative abundance assessments. 

In 2001 the VHS spring survey focused its efforts on publicly owned land in Augusta and Nelson counties.  The main morning survey focused on two areas in the Big Levels region of the George Washington National Forest.  Although this area has been extensively surveyed (Mitchell and Buhlmann, 1999), we selected Green Pond, and three ponds in the Loves Run Pond Complex to survey. These sites, which have not been extensively surveyed, were of interest because of the high elevation of Green Pond and the proximity of the Loves Run Pond Complex to sites that have breeding populations of the state endangered tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum).  Two main goals of this survey were to: (1) survey ponds in the Loves Run Pond Complex for evidence of breeding by tiger salamanders, and (2) document the herpetofauna at Green Pond, specifically relative abundance and species composition, plus frequency and nature of morphological deformities observed in captured animals.

After the morning survey, various sites in Augusta and Nelson Counties were surveyed by the VHS.  Two main sites were selected and surveyed, including Sherando Lake Recreation Area and Humpback Rocks, a site located along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Study Sites

Augusta County

Green Pond

Green Pond and the Loves Run Pond Complex are both found in the Big Levels area of the George Washington National Forest (Buhlmann et al., 1999). Green Pond is a high elevation (960 m) sphagnum bog that has been extensively described by Whittecar and Lawrence (1999).  This site is of potential interest because of the declines in amphibians observed in other high elevation sites in North America (Blaustein and Wake, 1995; Drost and Fellers, 1996).

Loves Run Pond Complex

Loves Run Pond Complex is a series of sinkhole ponds in the general vicinity of a stream by that name.  This area has an approximate elevation of 540 m. Specifically, the VHS surveyed ponds 21, 25, and 27 of Buhlmann et al. (1999).  These ponds and the surrounding vegetation of this area were described by Buhlmann et al. (1999) and Fleming and Van Alstine (1999).  Mitchell and Buhlmann (1999) have conducted extensive herpetofaunal surveys in this area.

Sherando Lake Recreation Area

Sherando Lake Recreation Area is located in the George Washington National Forest and is adjacent to Big Levels.  This recreation area is used extensively for fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, and camping.  Sherando has two man-made lakes that cover 7 and 25 acres, respectively. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed 65 campsites in the 1930’s.  This area has a diversity of habitats including streams, lake margins, talus slope, and upland hardwood forest.

Nelson County

Humpback Rocks

Humpback Rocks is located between mileposts 5 and 9.3 along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This site derives its name from the unusual “hump-like” rock formations.  This location contains a visitor center, picnic area, and three major hiking trails including Greenstone Trail, Mountain Farm Trail, and a section of the Appalachian Trail.

Methods and Materials

Sampling was conducted by the VHS on 19 May 2001 (three anuran vocalization records were obtained on 18 May by members camping in the Sherando Lake Recreation Area).  Green Pond and the Loves Run Pond Complex were sampled primarly from 0930 h to 1100 h; several VHS members surveyed at the latter site for an additional 1-2 hours.  Humpback Rocks and Sherando Lake Recreation Area were surveyed from 1230 h to 1600 h.  Observations of anurans were obtained by visual encounter, seine and dip net sampling, and male vocalizations.  Terrestrial salamanders were found by overturning rocks and logs.  Aquatic and streamside salamanders were sought with seines and dip nets and by flipping rocks and logs in streambeds and the margins of these habitats.  Survey techniques for turtles, lizards, and snakes included visual encounters and overturning woody debris and rocks.  Photographs were taken to document species encountered and interesting behaviors. Data collected for each animal caught included size, microhabitat, behavior, and structural abnormalities. Environmental conditions were documented for each survey site.

Results

During this survey 13 species of amphibians (five salamanders and eight anurans) and ten species of reptiles (two turtles, one lizard, and seven snakes)  were  observed  (Table 1).   Only two species of amphibians were

observed at Green Pond.  One amphibian and two reptile species were found around Humpback Rocks.  Eight amphibians and six reptiles were found in the Sherando Lake Recreation Area.  Ten amphibian and four reptile species were observed at the Loves Run Pond Complex. 

Amphibians

Salamanders

Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum  (Eastern tiger salamander)

The eastern tiger salamander is a state endangered species (Pague and Buhlmann, 1991).  Attempts to capture this species by seining in ponds 21 and 25 were unsuccessful.  However, rapid sweeps with aquatic dip nets resulted in the capture of five larvae in pond 27 (Tiger pond).  This is the first confirmed record of tiger salamanders at these ponds, which are approximately 10 km west of the nearest previously known breeding site (Mitchell and Buhlmann, 1999).

Eurycea longicauda longicauda  (Long-tailed salamander)

One individual was found under a rock on a talus slope bordering Sherando Lake.

Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens (Red-spotted newt)

Red-spotted newts were observed at Humpback Rocks (one eft), Loves Run Pond Complex (Pond 21 - five adults and one eft; Pond 25 – four  adults; Pond 27 - six adults), and Sherando Lake Recreation Area (one eft).  Newts were found under logs, under a rock in a talus slope, and in ponds.  The tail of one eft was missing.  Two newts had the following measurements: 94 mm total length and 47 mm SVL, and 71 mm total length and 32 mm SVL.

Plethodon cinereus (Red-backed salamander)

Eleven red-backed salamanders were found under logs and rocks along the margins of Green Pond (six adults), pond 21 (two adults) and pond 25 (two adults), and in the talus slope that borders Sherando Lake (one adult).  Nine salamanders exhibited the red stripe phase, one the lead phase, and one fit the description of the erythristic phase (Petranka, 1998).  The lead phase individual was a gravid female that measured 92 mm total length and 42 mm SVL.  One red stripe phase salamander measured 83 mm total length and 40 mm SVL.

Plethodon cylindraceus  (White-spotted slimy salamander)

Five white-spotted slimy salamanders were found under cover objects along the margins of ponds 21 (one adult), 25 (two adults), and 27 (two adults), and in the woods surrounding these ponds.  One salamander measured 151 mm total length and 76 mm SVL.

Anurans

Acris crepitans crepitans  (Northern cricket frog)

Males were heard calling along the margins of ponds 21, 25, and 27.  One captured individual measured 22 mm SVL.

Bufo americanus americanus (American toad)

American toads were heard calling along the margin of Sherando Lake on 18 May and one toad was found DOR on Sherando Lake Road.

Hyla versicolor (Gray treefrog)

Treefrogs were heard calling on 18 May in trees along the margin of Sherando Lake and on 19 May along the margins of ponds 21, 25, and 27.

Pseudacris crucifer crucifer  (Northern spring peeper)

Male spring peepers were observed calling on 18 May along the margin of Sherando Lake and on 19 May along the margins of ponds 21, 25, and 27. 

Rana catesbeiana  (American bullfrog)

Two bullfrog tadpoles that were dipnetted in pond 21 measured 133 mm and 81 mm (total length).  An adult was observed along the margin of Sherando Lake.

Rana clamitans melanota (Northern Green Frog)

One green frog was observed calling along the margin of pond 21.  A dipnetted tadpole measured 99 mm (total length).  An adult frog caught along the margin of Sherando Lake measured 85 mm SVL.

Rana palustris  (Pickerel frog)

One juvenile frog was found in a marshy area around Green Pond.

Scaphiopus holbrookii  (Eastern spadefoot)

One juvenile toad (28 mm SVL) was found in the forest near pond 21.  Several toes were missing on one forefoot.

Reptiles

Turtles

Chelydra serpentina serpentina  (Eastern snapping turtle)

A female snapping turtle was observed digging a  nest  at  0932  h  on  19

May.  The nest was dug at the top of a man-made earthen mound used to prevent vehicles from entering a footpath.  Upon inspection later in the day, the nest was abandoned and without eggs.

Terrapene carolina carolina  (Eastern box turtle)

One male box turtle with red irises was found on the road near the Loves Run Pond Complex.  

Lizards

Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus (Northern fence lizard)

A gravid female was found in the woods surrounding a parking lot adjacent to Sherando Lake Road.

Snakes

Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen  (Northern copperhead)

One juvenile snake was found under a rock on a talus slope bordering Sherando Lake.

Crotalus horridus horridus  (Timber rattlesnake)

Seven specimens were found around the Humpback Rocks area.  Four of the snakes were dark phase females, two were subadults (one light phase and one dark phase), and one was a light phase juvenile (approximately 390 mm TL).  Six of the snakes were lying exposed and one was found under a rock slab.  These animals were found between 1430 and 1455 h (air temperature ca. 65^o F/18^o C) at an approximate elevation of 1,021 m (3,350 feet).

Diadophis punctatus edwardsii  (Northern ring-necked snake)

Ring-necked snakes were found under a log and a piece of bark in woods surrounding ponds 21 and 25 and under a rock in a talus slope along the edge of Sherando Lake.  A total of three specimens were found.  The snakes had the following measurements: 328 mm total length and 272 mm SVL, 229 mm total length and 183 mm SVL, and 153 mm total length and 113 mm SVL.

Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta  (Black ratsnake)

One adult snake was found on Sherando Lake Road above the recreational beach area.  This animal appeared to be injured, possibly run over by a vehicle. 

Nerodia sipedon sipedon (Northern watersnake)

One juvenile northern watersnake was observed at pond 21.

Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata  (Northern red-bellied snake)

Two northern red-bellied snakes were observed during the survey.  One was found under a rock in a talus slope bordering Sherando Lake and the other was found under a rock in the Humpback Rocks area.  The snakes measured 136 mm total length, 108 mm SVL and approximately 130 mm total length, respectively.

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis  (Eastern gartersnake)

One adult measuring 635 mm total length and 528 mm SVL was caught on a rocky slope bordering Sherando Lake. This animal exhibited very aggressive behavior.    

Discussion

The day of this survey was cool, cloudy, and rainy.  This may have been responsible for the low number of reptiles observed.  We found 10 of 26 reptile species known from Augusta County (Mitchell, 1994; Mitchell and Reay, 1999). Amphibians were underrepresented by the survey (only 13 of 28 documented species). Frogs were well represented by our survey (eight of 10 documented species). The spadefoot toad was not recorded for Augusta County by Mitchell and Reay (1999) but was reported by Mitchell and Buhlmann (1999). This was the only animal found to contain a deformity/injury (missing toes). Our discovery of only five of the 18 salamander species documented for Augusta County could be due to sampling techniques, environmental conditions, or survey regions selected. 

Green Pond had a very limited herpetofauna.  The main amphibian found in this area was the red-backed salamander.  This species is typically found under cover objects and lays its eggs in this microhabitat, and therefore would be shielded from the effects of UV radiation. Future studies and surveys of this and similar ponds should be conducted to determine if UV light or other environmental conditions are affecting the species that live in these habitats.        

Acknowledgments

The following VHS members participated in this survey: Jack Boswell, John Boswell, Mitch Bowling, Colm DeVan, Lora DeVan, Chris Foster,  David Garst, Jamie Garst, Jason Gibson, Anna Greenlee, Bob Greenlee, Mary Greenlee, Sarah Greenlee, Corben Hayslett, Mike Hayslett, Carol Heiser, Fred Huber, Marty Martin, Glenn Metzler, Jim Milcarek,  Shelly Miller, Mike Pinder, Paul Sattler, Clay Smith, Arthur Smith, Amy White, Charise White, Jennifer White, John White, Brook Wilson, Dane Wilson, Gordon Wilson, Heather Wilson, Mallory Wilson, and Meredith Wilson.  We would like to thank Fred Huber and Dawn Kirk for their assistance in site selection on the George Washington National Forest. Steve Roble, John White, and two anonymous reviewers provided comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript.

Literature Cited

Blaustein, A. R., and D. B. Wake.  1995.  The puzzle of declining amphibian populations.  Scientific American 272: 52-57.

Buhlmann, K. A., J. C. Mitchell, and L. R. Smith.  1999.  Descriptive ecology of the Shenandoah Valley Sinkhole Pond System in Virginia.  Banisteria 13: 23-51.

Drost, C. A., and G. M. Fellers.  1996.  Collapse of a regional frog fauna in the Yosemite area of the California Sierra Nevada, USA.  Conservation Biology 10: 414-425.

Fleming, G. P., and N. E. Van Alstine.  1999.  Plant communities and floristic features of sinkhole ponds and seepage wetlands in southeastern Augusta County, Virginia.  Banisteria  13: 67-81.

Mitchell, J. C.  1994.  Reptiles of Virginia.  Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.  352 pp.

Mitchell, J. C., and K. A. Buhlmann.  1999.  Amphibians and reptiles of the Shenandoah Valley Sinkhole Pond System in Virginia.  Banisteria 13: 129-142.

Mitchell, J. C. and K. K. Reay.  1999.  Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles in Virginia. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Special Publication Number 1, Richmond, VA.  122 pp.

Pague, C. A., and K. A. Buhlmann. 1991. Eastern tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum. Pp. 431-433 In K. Terwilliger (coordinator), Virginia’s Endangered Species.  McDonald & Woodward Publishing Co., Blacksburg, VA.

Petranka, J. W.  1998.  Salamanders of the United States and Canada.  Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.  587 pp.

Whittecar, R. G., and J. R. Lawrence. 1999. Hydrology and geomorphology of Green Pond - a high-elevation depressional wetland in the Blue Ridge of Virginia.  Banisteria 13: 149-159.

Table 1.  Summary of the herpetofauna documented during the 2001 VHS spring survey.  GP = Green Pond, 21 = Pond 21, 25 = Pond 25, 27 = Pond 27, HR = Humpback Rocks, SL = Sherando Lake.  x = species observed and n = species observed near that area.

2006.  Catesbeiana 26(1): 11               

Errata

The paper by Jason D. Gibson entitled “Herpetofaunal survey of Sherando Lake Recreation Area, Loves Run Complex, Green Pond, and Humpback Rocks” that appeared in Catesbeiana 22: 3‑13 (2002), has the following correction due to a recently published article by Richard Highton (Highton, R. 2004. A new species of woodland salamander of the Plethodon cinereus group from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  Jeffersoniana 14: 1‑22).

Twelve salamanders found during the survey, one under a rock in the talus slope adjacent to Lake Sherando and 11 found along the margins of Green Pond, were identified as P. cinereus (Red‑backed Salamander). Due to the unusual morphology and color of one individual found around Lake Sherando, we identified it as the erythristic phase of the Red‑backed Salamander. Using molecular data, Highton (op. cit.) has classified P. cinereus-like salamanders in this area of Lake Sherando as a new species, Plethodon sherando (Big Levels Salamander). In Highton’s publication, Green Pond is identified as a region where P. sherando is found but not P. cinereus.  This changes the results for amphibians from 13 species to 14 species and the salamander results from five to six species.