Steven M. Roble and Christopher S. Hobson

Division of Natural Heritage

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

1500 E. Main Street, Suite 312

Richmond, VA 23219

The Clinch Ranger District of the Jefferson National Forest lies in extreme southwestern Virginia within the counties of Dickenson, Lee, Scott and Wise (plus a small parcel in Kentucky). The herpetofauna of this region of Virginia has been poorly sampled as evidenced by the lack of county records for many common species (Tobey, 1985; Mitchell and Pague, 1984; Mitchell, 1994). In 1993, the Division of Natural Heritage was contracted to conduct rare plant and animal surveys within a limited portion of the eastern section of the Clinch Ranger District. The survey area was limited to Scott and Wise Counties in the vicinity of Coeburn and Norton. Approximate boundaries of the survey area were Alternate U.S. Route 58 (north), State Route 72 (east), County Route 653 (south) and Big Cherry Reservoir (west). The highest peak in this area is High Knob at an elevation of 1287 meters. During the course of our rare animal surveys, we noted all species of amphibians and reptiles that were encountered.

Methods

We made a total of three trips to the Clinch Ranger District during 1993. Survey dates were: June 7-11, June 23-24 and September 20-24. One site (Little Stony Falls) was revisited on 13 September 1994. Survey methods included searching under logs and rocks, inspecting crevices in sandstone outcrops, dipnetting in ponds, road cruising at night and listening for calling frogs. We also operated two drift fences (25 and 30 feet in length) with pitfall buckets in a beaver meadow (elevation 967 m) along Glady Fork, Scott County, off Forest Service road 2575, 10 km SE junction of U.S. Route 23 and Alternate U.S. Route 58 in Norton.

Survey Sites

Species were recorded at 19 sites, not counting road crossing records. The names and locations of these sites are listed below and refer to numbered locations on the accompanying map.

Wise County:

1. Powell Mountain, old logging road off Forest Service Road 621 approximately 9 km SW of Norton (beaver pond and small pools)

2. Forest Service Road 621 at South Fork Powell River (two crossing sites)

3. High Knob

4. Camp Rock - outcrops along Forest Service Road 619, approximately 100 meters north of the Wise-Scott County line.

5. High Knob Lake

6. Wildlife ponds along Forest Service Road 238 near junction with Forest Service Road 2020

7. Forest Service cabin, 1 km W jct. Co. Routes 699 and 706

8. Wildlife pond 300 m N of site #7.

Scott County:

9. Little Stony Falls

10. Davey Land Branch (beaver ponds)

11. Bark Camp Lake

12. Very small wildlife pond along Forest Service Road 2575, 100 m W jct. Co. Route 706

13. Glady Fork (extensive beaver meadow)

14. Woodland sinkhole pond 0.6 km NE of Hagan Hall

15. Headwaters of tributary to Hagan Spring Branch

16. Staunton Creek in vicinity of Route 653 bridge

17. Sulphur Spring and surrounding hillsides

18. Forest Service Road 776, 2 km WNW Hagan Hall

19. Devil's Fork, Forest Service Road 619, 0.7 km W jct. Co. Route 619

Results

Thirty-six species were recorded, including 22 amphibians (14 salamanders, 8 anurans) and 14 reptiles (10 snakes, 2 lizards, 2 turtles). Significant range extensions were documented for two amphibians. Six new county records were substantiated and three additional unverified county records are reported solely on the basis of observational data. All specimens are deposited in the Virginia Museum of Natural History, except as noted below.

Annotated Checklist of Species

Ambystoma jeffersonianum (Jefferson Salamander)

Site #1. On 23 September, we found approximately 10 larvae nearing transformation in two adjacent 1 m x 2 m pools in an old logging road. A relatively young 2-3 acre beaver pond was present within 50 m of these pools. Four larvae were collected and reared to transformation. This constitutes a new county record. The nearest published record in Virginia is from Wythe Co. (Tobey, 1985). The latitude of the Wise Co. site (36° 52' N⁾ is comparable to the southernmost range limit (in Kentucky) for this species as plotted in Conant and Collins (1991).

The presence of larvae of this species so late in the year was unexpected. This species normally breeds in late winter or early spring and transforms in early to mid-summer. Therefore, either breeding occurred much later than normal or the larval period was extremely prolonged, perhaps due to a limited food supply in these very small pools.

Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted Salamander)

Site #11. Several larvae were collected on 10 June in small pools below the dam at Bark Camp Lake. Several presumably old but still recognizable jelly portions of egg masses were seen on 24 September in the swampy area at the upper end of the lake. This species was not reported from Scott or Wise County by Tobey (1985), but J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have unpublished records for Scott Co. (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Aneides aeneus (Green Salamander)

Site #9. We discovered a small colony of green salamanders in the rockface at Little Stony Falls on 9 June. Four adults and 10 juveniles were observed between 1410 h and 1445 h; only two adults were seen during a return visit to this area on the night of 20 September. One juvenile was seen on 13 September 1994 during a 1.5 h search by the second author and Dirk Stevenson.

Desmognathus fuscus fuscus (Northern Dusky Salamander)

This species was common in the survey area but not collected. It was recorded at sites 2, 9, 15, 17, and 19; and also seen near the jct. of FS 619 and FS 621.

Desmognathus monticola (Seal Salamander)

Scott Co.: Several individuals were observed at site #19 on 9 and 10 June. One adult was photographed and collected on 10 June while crossing Co. Route 653, 1.3 km E jct. Co. Route 619. This represents a new county record.

Wise Co.: One adult was observed on 8 June under a rock along

FS 621 about 1 km W jct. FS 237. Seal salamanders were previously reported from Wise Co. by Tobey (1985).

Desmognathus ochrophaeus (Mountain Dusky Salamander)

Individuals were observed at sites 1, 2 and 5, but not collected. This species was not reported from Wise County by Tobey (1985), but J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have unpublished records for this county (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Eurycea cirrigera (Southern Two-lined Salamander)

This species was recorded at sites 1, 2, 5, 9, 13 (collected) and 17. It was reported (as Eurycea bislineata bislineata) from Wise but not Scott County by Tobey (1985). J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have several unpublished records for Scott County (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Gyrinophilus porphyriticus porphyriticus (Northern Spring Salamander)

Site #4. The head of an adult was observed protruding from a rock crevice near a spring seep on 8 June. This species was reported from Wise but not Scott County by Tobey (1985). J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have one unpublished record for Scott Co. (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Hemidactylium scutatum (Four-toed Salamander)

Site #13: Three adults were collected at the drift fence in this wetland which contains some areas of sphagnum. This constitutes a new county record and the first record from extreme southwestern Virginia (Roble and Hobson, 1995). The nearest published localities are in Giles and Montgomery Counties (Tobey, 1985); the species has also been recorded from Buffalo Mountain in Floyd County (J. C. Mitchell, pers. comm.). This record partially fills in the large range gap that is depicted in Conant and Collins (1991). One specimen has been deposited in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the other two are in the Virginia Museum of Natural History collection.

Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens (Red-spotted Newt)

This species was abundant in the survey area. Newts were recorded at sites 1-3, 5-8, 10, 11, 13 (collected) and 14.

Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander)

This species was recorded at sites 2, 3 (collected), 5, 7, 9 and 17. On the night of 9 June one adult was observed peering from a burrow in the forest cabin lawn on several occasions before eventually venturing out at 0505 h. Slimy salamanders were previously reported from Wise but not Scott County by Tobey (1985). J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have numerous unpublished records for both counties (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Plethodon kentucki (Cumberland Plateau Salamander)

This species was recorded at sites 2, 3 (collected), 4 and 9 (collected). Approximately 30-35 individuals of this species, plus a few P. glutinosus, were observed by the second author and Dirk Stevenson on 13 September 1994 on and near the trail to Little Stony Falls. Most of these individuals were active on the surface. During two visits to this area in 1993 we noted a few P. glutinosus (but no P. kentucki) along the trail, but did not actively search for woodland salamanders on either occasion. J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have three unpublished records for P. kentucki from Wise County (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.). The Little Stony Falls site represents a new record for Scott County.

Plethodon richmondi (Ravine Salamander)

Ravine salamanders were recorded at sites 1, 2, 3 (collected), 4 and 7.

Pseudotriton montanus (Mud Salamander)

Site #13: This species is common in the beaver meadow wetland. One larva was dug up on 11 June while installing the drift fences; a total of nine adults were collected in the pitfalls. Several additional adults and one juvenile were also seen at the drift fences. This species was not reported from Scott or Wise County by Tobey (1985), but J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have one unpublished record for Scott County (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Bufo americanus americanus (Eastern American Toad)

Eggs and tadpoles were observed in small pools below the dam at Bark Camp Lake (site #11) on 10 June. This species was also seen at sites 2, 7 and crossing several roads, but was not collected. American toads were not reported from Scott or Wise County by Tobey (1985), but J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have several unpublished records for both counties (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Hyla chrysoscelis (Cope's Gray Treefrog)

This species was heard at sites 6, 7 and 11, as well as several farm ponds along Co. Routes 619 and 653 in Scott Co. Gray treefrogs were not reported from Wise County by Tobey (1985), but J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have several unpublished records for both counties (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Pseudacris brachyphona (Mountain Chorus Frog)

Hoffman (1981) provided extensive locality data for this species in Virginia but did not include any records for Scott or Wise Counties. Tobey (1985) plotted one record for this species in extreme northern Wise County. We found single adult males calling at two sites on the night of 10 June. Both individuals were photographed and collected.

Scott Co.: Hillside at the junction of Co. Routes 619 and 657, 13 km S Norton (1 km SE of site #19). Elevation 513 m. This constitutes a new county record.

Wise Co.: site #7 (pool in driveway). Elevation 1067 m. This site is 10 km NE of the Scott Co. locality. The nearest published locality is in southern Dickenson County (Tobey, 1985).

Pseudacris crucifer crucifer (Northern Spring Peeper)

This species was recorded at sites 1, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13 (collected) and 14, as well as along several local roads. They were not reported from Scott or Wise County by Tobey (1985), but J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have one unpublished record for each county (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Rana catesbeiana (Bullfrog)

Bullfrogs were observed or heard at sites 5, 8, and 11-13, but not collected. This species was not reported from Scott or Wise County by Tobey (1985), but J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have several unpublished records for both counties (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Rana clamitans melanota (Green Frog)

Green frogs were recorded at sites 1, 5, 8, 10-12 and 13 (collected). They were not reported from Scott or Wise County by Tobey (1985), but J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have several unpublished records for both counties (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Rana palustris (Pickerel Frog)

Pickerel frogs were observed on 21 September at sites 16 and 17, but not collected. They were not reported from Scott County by Tobey (1985), but J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have three unpublished records for this county (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Rana sylvaticus (Wood Frog)

Wood frogs were recorded at sites 2, 12 (tadpoles abundant; collected), 13 (collected), 14 and 17 (collected). They were also seen crossing several roads in the survey area. Wood frogs were not reported from Scott or Wise County by Tobey (1985), but J.C. Mitchell and C. A. Pague have one unpublished record for each county (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.).

Chelydra serpentina serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle)

This species was recorded at sites 5 and 13. Snapping turtles were reported from Scott but not Wise County by Mitchell (1994).

Site #5: We observed one adult swimming in High Knob Lake on 22 September. The specimen was not photographed or collected, so a record for this county remains unverified.

Site #13: Along a dirt road just beyond the south end of this wetland, we observed a nesting female at 1130 h on 11 June. The nest was subsequently predated (Lisa Nutt, pers. comm.). A mating pair (or fighting pair of males?) was observed on 22 September in a small beaver pond at the north end of this site.

Terrapene carolina carolina (Eastern Box Turtle)

Box turtles were observed at sites 1, 14 (vicinity), 17 and 18, but not collected.

Eumeces fasciatus (Five-lined Skink)

Site #13: Several were observed and one juvenile was collected. They were reported from two sites in Scott County and one site in Wise County by Mitchell (1994).

Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus (Northern Fence Lizard)

Site #11: Fence lizards were observed on 10 June near the dam.

Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen (Northern Copperhead)

Site #9: One adult was seen on 13 September 1994 by the second author and Dirk Stevenson. The snake was observed on a ledge about five feet above the ground, on the same rock face where the green salamander population was found. This observation constitutes an unverified county record for this species in Scott Co. (no records in Mitchell, 1994).

Carphophis amoenus amoenus (Eastern Worm Snake)

Site #18: One adult was collected near a sinkhole depression on 21 September. This species was previously reported from this area of Scott County by Mitchell (1994), who concluded that all Virginia worm snakes are referable to this subspecies and show no intergradation with Carphophis amoenus helenae (Midwest Worm Snake), which is characterized by the presence of fused prefrontal and internasal scales. However, in this specimen, the prefrontal and internasal scales are about 90% fused, with the only trace of a suture between them being restricted to a 1-2 mm region on either side of the middorsal line.

Coluber constrictor constrictor (Northern Black Racer)

We observed several DOR specimens in the survey area but made no effort to salvage them.

Crotalus horridus horridus (Timber Rattlesnake)

Site #14: One adult was observed near this site on 22 July 1993 by Lisa Nutt and Phil Stevenson (pers. comm.). Mitchell (1994) reported two previous records from Scott Co.

Diadophis punctatus edwardsii (Northern Ringneck Snake)

This species was observed at sites 2, 11 and 13 (vicinity), but not collected.

Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta (Black Rat Snake)

Several live adults were seen at site #13. A DOR specimen was also noted on FS 291 near the N end of this wetland. At least one DOR specimen was seen on Co. Route 706 in Wise Co., but it was not salvaged, so this county record remains unverified. Black Rat snakes were reported from Scott but not Wise County by Mitchell (1994).

Lampropeltis getula nigra (Black Kingsnake)

Scott Co.: A DOR specimen was salvaged by Phil Stevenson and Lisa Nutt on 22 July 1993 along Co. Route 653, 1.3 km E jct. Co. Route 680.

Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum (Eastern Milk Snake)

Wise Co.: We collected a juvenile specimen on 10 June that was crossing State Route 72, 2.5 km S jct. Alternate U.S. Route 58 in Coeburn. The site is one road kilometer beyond the Guest River bridge. This constitutes a new county record.

Nerodia sipedon sipedon (Northern Water Snake)

This species was observed at sites 13 and 16, but not collected.

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (Eastern Garter Snake)

This species was observed at sites 2 and 9, as well as on several local roads including Co. Route 706 near the Eagle Knob Radio Facility (E of site #3). No speciments were collected.

Acknowledgments

The Jefferson National Forest provided funds and housing. We thank

Lisa Nutt and Fred Huber of the forest service for logistical support. Lisa Nutt and Phil Stevenson assisted by checking the pitfall buckets and contributed two snake records to this report. Dirk Stevenson accompanied the second author on the September 1994 trip to Little Stony Falls and also reviewed the manuscript.

Joe Mitchell thoroughly reviewed the manuscript by carefully comparing our records with the range maps in a draft copy of his newly published book as well as his preliminary amphibian maps. He also allowed us to cite numerous unpublished amphibian county records in this paper.

Literature Cited

Conant, R. and J. T. Collins. 1991. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA. 450 pp.

Hoffman, R. L. 1981. On the occurrence of Pseudacris brachyphona (Cope) in Virginia. Catesbeiana 1: 9-13.

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

Mitchell, J. C. and C. A. Pague. 1984. Reptiles and amphibians of far southwestern Virginia: report on a biogeographical and ecological survey. Catesbeiana 4: 12-17.

Roble, S.M. and C.S. Hobson, Geographic distibution: Hemidactylium scutatum, Herpetological Review 26:41.

Tobey, F. J. 1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey. Virginia Herpetological Society, Purcellville, VA. 114 pp.