Richard L. Hoffman

Virginia Museum of Natural History

Martinsville, Virginia 24112

Hyla versicolor versicolor (Eastern Grey Treefrog); Hyla chrysoscelis (Cope's Gray Treefrog): VA: Lunenburg County, 3 July 1991, Richard L. Hoffman.

Following a late afternoon thunderstorm I heard these two species calling at numerous localities along Va. Hys. 137, 40, 49, and some "backroads", usually in roadside ditches. Their distribution was interesting, as noted here:

At a site ca. 1.6 km west of Dundas on Rt. 137, H. versicolor was extremely numerous and the only Hyla calling. In going west toward Kenbridge and Victoria, I began to hear H. chrysoscelis joining in from place to place, in some abundance. West of Victoria I heard no more gray treefrogs until passing a flooded puddle in an abandoned logging access road in second growth oak-pine woods just off Va. Hy. 690, ca. 2.6 km N of Rehoboth. Here about two dozen male H. chrysoscelis were calling vigorously, and but a single male H. versicolor. This distribution of the two species is rather the reverse of what one might expect, but is confirmed by an earlier (10 August 1988) encounter at the Va. Hy. 49 bridge over the North Meherrin River, roughly one mile from the site just mentioned. At that site "many" H. chrysoscelis were calling, against only one or two H. versicolor. The inference I draw from these observations is that the northern form (H. versicolor) is dominant in the eastern end of Lunenburg County, and the southern form (H. chrysoscelis) dominant in the western end. I could detect no evident differences in habitat that might account for this curious pattern.

Richard L. Hoffman

Virginia Museum of Natural History

Martinsville, VA 24112

Hyla versicolor (Gray Treefrog): VA: Loudoun Co., Rt. 671, 1.6 km S of US 340, mid-October 1990, Franklin J. Tobey.

A single specimen was found in the basement of a residence 1.6 km from the Potomac River on Route 671 (Harpers Ferry Road). This same general locality was described in a resume of Loudoun Co. specimens collected by Tobey, and earlier by J.T. Collins, if this is his site "5 miles (8 km) West of Lovettsville." The specimen was feeding readily on flies through February 1991. Chris Pague determined that the specimen was indeed Hyla versicolor. The specimen is being deposited in the U.S. National Museum of Natural History. Identification was checked upon capture with Martof et al. (1980. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia, Univ. of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, N.C.) and Tobey (1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, Privately published, Virginia Herpetological Society, Purcellville, VA., 114 pp).

Franklin J. Tobey

Rt. #1, Box 381

Purcellville, VA 22132

Rana palustris (Pickeral Frog). VA: City of Lynchburg, Peaks View Park 16-17 March 1995, Paul Sattler.

On the afternoon of 16 March 1995 while visiting a ditch on the South side of Peaks View Park, I heard what sounded like the low "snoring" calls of Rana palustris, the pickeral frog. What was unusual was the low volume of the call, and the fact that the call appeared to be coming from under the surface of the water in the ditch. I revisited the site the following evening and not only recorded the calls using a microphone placed in a plastic bag which was partially submerged, but observed several Rana palustris on the bottom of the ditch. The ditch was about one meter wide, one-half meter deep and 25 meters long. It was originally dug to help drain a ball field at the park. Numerous anurans, including Pseudacris crucifer, Bufo americanus, Hyla versicolor, Acris crepitans, and Rana clamitans had been observed and/or heard breeding at this site in previous years. Rana palustris tadpoles had been collected from this site previously. However, Rana palustris had never been heard calling at this site. One reason that Rana palustris may not have been heard at this site, and possibly others in central Virginia, is that the males are calling from a submerged position. Submerged calls do not travel long distances and may be easily overlooked. Ages ago Wright and Wright (1949. Handbook of Frogs and Toads, Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, NY 640 pp.) reported that Rana palustris may call from underwater, but this does not appear to be common knowledge. When looking, or listening, for Rana palustris spring choruses, it would do well to listen for underwater calls which may be drowned out by other species' choruses.

Paul W. Sattler

Liberty University

Department of Biology

Lynchburg, VA 24506

Rana sylvaticus (Wood Frog): VA: Culpeper County, 13.3 km WNW confluence of the Rappahannock and Rapidal rivers, 4.5 km E Jennings Store, 24 July 1993, L.C. Via.

A juvenile wood frog was found at midday about 100 m west of Co. Rt. 682 in the floodplain of Hoopers Run at an elevation of 78 m. This is a heavily wooded area with sparse herbaceous growth. The frog, found in the open, made no attempt to take to the stream, preferring instead to seek cover in debris left by spring floods. This record constitutes the first for Culpeper County (Tobey, 1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey. VHS, Purcellville, VA. 114 pp). The nearest known location is the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Stafford County, some 33 km to the northeast (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.). The frog was photographed and released. A voucher slide was deposited with the Virginia Herpetological Society slide collection.

Lester C. Via

7130 Sontag Way

Springfield, VA 22153

Rana sylvaticus (Wood Frog). VA: Craig Co., Potts Mountain, Potts Pond, 11.25 km N of New Castle, 06 March 1995, Michael W. Donahue and Michael King.

During an outing to obtain evidence of early Wood Frog (Rana sylvaticus) and Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) breeding activity of the Potts Pond area, Mike King and I were witness to the pre-nuptial chorus and breeding activities of the Wood Frog. The morning temperature was 45-50 degrees and the sky was clear.

After finding a few Wood Frogs around the outer edges of the minor ponds, we decided to investigate the general area for other potential breeding sites. Mike King detected a distant duck-like clacking sound. As we made our way closer to the source of the calling it became obvious that this was the work of the Wood Frogs. As we continued inching our way toward the largest pond, we noticed the Wood Frogs were literally covering the forest floor. We then decided to sit at the edge of the sunlit pond to observe this event. Wood Frogs were emerging from within the leaf litter and proceeding without interruption to the pond. We viewed these activities for about an hour and the intensity of the sound and numbers of individuals never changed. It is conceivable that there were 1000 to 1800 frogs within the area of these natural ponds. As we left the pond, we could detect no decrease in their numbers or activity, and by this time many individuals were in amplexus.

Spotted Salamander egg masses were found around the edges of the larger ponds, but no adults were found.

No vouchers were taken.

Michael W. Donahue

4814 Bandy Rd. SE Apt. #4

Roanoke, Virginia 24014

Rana sylvaticus (Wood Frog): VA: Campbell County, ca. .25 km SW of the terminus of VA 635 at Melrose, VA. 7 March 1995, David A. Dawson.

An adult wood frog was brought to me on 13 March by a student of the "Lynchburg Master Naturalist Course" for identification. The frog had been discovered on a cool, overcast afternoon sitting along the margin of a temporary pool, which had formed in a canal remnant near the floodplain of the Staunton River. Several others were observed at the site, indicating that this series of temporary wetlands may serve as a breeding facility for this obligatory vernal pool anuran.

Upon examination of the literature and personal communication with J. Mitchell for supplemental data, I concluded that the live specimen represented a voucher for the Campbell county record (Tobey, F.J. 1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, VHS, Purcellville, VA 114 pp.). The wood frog remained in captivity at "The Nature Zone" facilities until July. The voucher will be forwarded to The Virginia Museum of Natural History for disposition.

Michael S. Hayslett

Lynchburg Parks & Rec Division

301 Grove Steet

Lynchburg, VA 24501

Rana utricularia (Southern Leopard Frog): VA: Pittsylvania Co. Va. Hy. 880, ca. 0.4 km S of int. with VA. 863 at Berry Hill, R.L. Hoffman.

Roadkill specimens found 28 May 1990 (juvenile) and 10 July 1990 (adults) along road traversing low marshy woods in Dan River floodplain. Three specimens preserved (VMNH) with typical pattern of elongate-oval dorsal spots; another very large adult, collected but not retained, almost uniformly rich green dorsally with no traces of spots.

This locality is not only a new county record for the species, but is a substantial westward extension of the known range (cf. Tobey, 1985, Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A distributional survey, Privately published, Virginia Herpetol. Soc., Purcellville, VA, P. 65) from Mecklenburg and Charlotte counties. Presumably R. utricularia occurs chiefly, if not exclusively, along the floodplains of larger rivers in the western Piedmont, as it was not seen away from the above-cited locality on the same rainy nights when anurans of other species were widespread and very abundant in the same region. Collectors should be challenged to investigate floodplain ponds and swamps (and adjacent pavements) elsewhere in the southern Piedmont of Virginia.

Richard L. Hoffman

Virginia Museum of Natural History

Martinsville, VA 24112

Rana virgatipes (Carpenter Frog): VA: Caroline County, 0.5 km W Collins Crossing at the Mattaponi River. 27 August 1991. Christopher A. Pague and Kurt A. Buhlmann.

A single male Carpenter Frog was collected on the banks of the Mattaponi River. The frog was one-half immersed in a still backwater area. The substrate was silt with the water depth increasing to greater than one meter deep in three meters distance. The entire back water was ringed with Nuphar variegatum (Bullhead Lily). The surrounding floodplain was dominated by Acer rubrum (Red Maple), Ilex opaca (Holly), Nyssa sylvaticus (Black Gum), Quercus phellos (Willow Oak), and Carpinus caroliniana (American Hophornbeam). No other individuals were seen, but associated anurans included Acris crepitans, Rana utricularia, R. palustris, and R. clamitans. Carpenter frogs are known from two additional sites in Caroline County, but this record is several kilometers north and west. Most significantly, the fact that this species was found within waters of the mainstem Mattaponi suggests that the population may be extensive throughout this drainage. The apparent high quality of this river below the fall line warrants protection.

Christopher A. Pague and Kurt A. Buhlmann

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Division of Natural Heritage

203 Governor St., Suite 402

Richmond, VA 23219

Ambystoma jeffersonianum (Jefferson salamander): VA: Allegheny County, Peters Mountain, 1.25 km NE of Thomas Spring. 30 June 1995. Dirk Stevenson and Christopher S. Hobson. FS 108 3.0 km NE of Longdale Furnace. 23 February 1996. Michael S. Hayslett and Lora B. DeVan.

The Jefferson salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) is presently known from 15 counties (J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.) within the Ridge and Valley and Appalachian Plateaus Physiographic of Provinces of Virginia. In a series of papers pertaining to the herpetofauna of Allegheny County, Virginia, (Hoffman, R.L. 1985a. The herpetofauna of Allegheny county, Virginia. Catesbeiana 5(1):3-12; Hoffman, R. L. 1985b. The herpetofauna of Allegheny County, Virginia: Part 2 - Class Amphibia. Catesbeiana 5(2):3-13; Hoffman, R.L. The herpetofauna of Allegheny County, Virginia: Part 3 - Class Reptilia. Catesbeiana 6(1):4-10.) 16 salamander species were reported from the region, and mentioned it was plausible that A. jeffersonianum could occur in the county as well. Specifically, Hoffman (op. cit. 1985a) mentioned that this species was likely to be found with careful, seasonal search in wooded parts of the high anticlinal valleys.

This note details the collection of Ambystoma jeffersonianum from four sites in Allegheny co., VA during 1995 and 1996. These collections represent the first records for the county, partially filling a distributional hiatus between Highland/Augusta counties and Giles/Montgomery counties (Toby, F.J. 1985. Virginia’s Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, VHS, Purcellville, VA 114pp). Voucher specimens will be deposited in the Virginia Museum of Natural History herpetological collection.

Egg masses of the Jefferson salamander were first observed in Allegheny county on the night of 10 March 1995 by Michael S. Hayslett, although their identity was unconfirmed at that time. More than one dozen masses were noted in a small, vernal pool that contained some 6m of linear water surface and a maximum depth of 1m. Seven wood frog (Rana sylvaticus) egg masses (dia. Approx. 20cm, exhibiting pre-hatching embryos) were observed and photographed toward the northern end of the pool. This vernal pool is located along the shoulder of FS 108 on the boundary of the Rich Hold Wilderness Area, GWNF, in the NE extension of the county about 3.0km NE of Longale Furnace. Situated at the base of SE-facing, hardwood ridge and above the floodplain of neighboring Simpson Creek, this isolated pool is fed by a seasonal spring head on its northern end and contains sphagnum mats throughout, as well as mature river birch trees (Betula nigra), which were inundated on this date. The pool bottom contained deep leaf litter and an abundance of submerged twigs and limbs for egg attachment.

On 30 June 1995, Chris Hobson, Dirk Stevenson and a group of students and faculty from the Virginia Governor’s Schools Program collected a single juvenile Jefferson salamander from beneath a log in mature chestnut oak forest near the crest of Peters Mountain, GWNF, E of FS 175 and 1.25 km NE of Thomas Spring, Allegheny County, Virginia. Based on the size of this specimen, it is thought to have metamorphosed the previous summer. Slimy salamanders (Plethodon glutinosus complex) and a wood frog (Rana sylvaticus) were also observed at this locality.

On the afternoon of 22 July 1995, Mike Hayslett returned to the vernal pool along FS 108 on the national forest and found it dry, but with an abundance of Jefferson salamander larvae concentrated under the damp litter at the pool’s lowest point; most were newly or nearly metamorphosed (the draw-down schedule of this pool may be influenced by the thin buffer of shading vegetation that separates it from the adjoining forest road). Larvae were vouchered (and will be forwarded to the VMNH for disposition) and photographed at this time, as were immature wood frogs.

This pool along FS 108 was revisited during the daylight hours of 16-17 February 1996 by Mike Hayslett and James H. Scranton, when 39 egg masses were counted, several of these were from wood frogs, all others were from jefferson salamanders. The linear water surface of this narrow pool was about 32m on this date, with a depth of 1.5m. At 02:00 on the morning of 23 February 1996, Mike Hayslett and Lora B. DeVan were investigating the pool for breeding adults. More than a dozen Ambystoma jeffersonianum were seen among the leaf litter on the pool bottom. Seven were captured and examined, with all being mature males. Two adult wood frogs were also noted on this night. The site and its fauna were documented on video tape. One A. jeffersonianum is being maintained live in the facilities of The Nature Zone of the Lynchburg Department of Parks and Recreation. Color slides of this adult are being deposited with the VHS archives. The site of this disjunct population is located approximately 44 km ENE of the population discovered less than 20 hours later on Peters Mountain.

On the evening of 23 February 1996, Dirk Stevenson, Allen Belden, Jr., Karen Heffernan, Bill Moorhead and Beth Willis observed A. jeffersonianum at two isolated wetlands located on Peters Mountain, GWNF, 0.6 km N of FS 600 and 4.15 km NE of Thomas Spring, Allegheny Co., Virginia. These wetlands are located on benches on southeast facing slopes now in mature oak - black gum- maple forest. The first wetland at which A. jeffersonianum were observed is a natural 2.5 hectare pond, possibly of sinkhole origin, which can be described as a seasonally flooded peatland; the basin of this pond, inundated throughout to a maximum depth of 1.5 m when visited, is vegetated with winterberry, buttonbush, and sedges, and floating peat masts are present. Except for open water on the north side, most of the pond surface was ice-covered. Ten A. jeffersonianum adults were observed swimming among vegetation in 15-50 cm of water. All specimens captured and examined (N=6) were males, and the additional specimens observed also appeared to be males. No A. jeffersonianum egg masses were observed, but this pond is so abundantly vegetated that egg masses could easily have been overlooked. Hundreds of adult red-spotted newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) were seen a this site, including several dozen warty-skinned individuals (recent migrants?) which were observed crawling very slowly atop the ice near the margins of frozen portions of the pond. Several congresses of male spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum), A maculatum spermato-phores, and 405 gravid A maculatum females were observed in the pond, but no egg masses of this species were discovered. A single spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) was calling.

Ambystoma jeffersonianum were also found at a nearby small (0.25 hectare) and rather deep (1.5m) oval depression which is believed to be man made. This pond lacks emergent or submergent vegetation , and has a substrate of deep slit and mud covered with substantial leaf litter. Approximately 20-25 Jefferson salamanders were observed in the pond, six of which were captured (4 males, 1 gravid female, 1 spend female). Several dozen A. jeffersonianum masses were attached to twigs and small branches from a few cm to 1 m beneath the pond surface. Approximately one dozen male spotted salamanders, 2-3 spotted salamander eggs masses, red-spotted newts and wood frogs were also observed. Over 30 wood frogs, including 4 amplectant pairs, as well as recently deposited egg masses and a large clump of communally deposited eggs were observed.

We are especially grateful to Bill Moorhead for leading D. Stevenson to the A. jeffersonianum ponds near Thomas Spring, sharing his knowledge related to the community types of Peters Mountain, and for assisting with habitat descriptions of these sites. Steven Roble reviewed and provided helpful comments on this note.

Dirk Stevenson & Michael S. Hayslett

Christopher Hobson Lynchburg Parks & Rec.

Virginia Division of Division

Natural Heritage 301 Grove Street

Main Street Station Lynchburg, VA 24501

1500 E. Main Street, Suite 312

Richmond, VA 23219

Ambystoma mabeei (Mabee's salamander): VA: York Co.: Curtis Road 6.0 km NW of Lee Hall, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station. 5 June 1990. Kurt Buhlmann.

Several metamorphic individuals were captured in a hardwood forest/ephemeral sinkhole pond area along Curtis Road. Specimens were deposited in the Division of Natural Heritage collections. This site represents the western most locality known for this species on the Lower Peninsula.

Kurt A. Buhlmann

Division of Natural Heritage

Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation

203 Governor St., Suite 402

Richmond, VA 23219

Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted Salamander): VA: Alleghany County, 3.6 km SE of Clifton Forge. 23 February 1992, Michael S. Hayslett.

An adult spotted salamander was observed migrating across Rt. 701, approximately 20 meters N of Rt. 736 and the Botetourt Co. line at 22:00 hours. The night was mild and foggy at 8oC, and there had been a rain earlier in the evening. The salamander had traveled out of a wooded ravine on the E side of 701 and was proceeding across a plateau. The male, with distinctly enlarged glands on either side of the cloaca, had a SVL of 82 mm and a total length of 190 mm. The salamander continued on its route when released.

It is noteworthy to mention that the animal's proximity to the Botetourt County line and the presence of similar terrain and habitat south of the collection site suggest that this species also occurs in Botetourt County (Tobey, F. 1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, VHS, Purcellville, 114 pp.).

Michael S. Hayslett

Dept. of Biology

Liberty University

Box 20,000

Lynchburg, VA 24506-8001

Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted salamander): VA: Bath County, 5 meters NE of Rt. 629 and Alleghany County line, Douthat State Park, 27 June 1991, Michael S. Hayslett and Brian D. Moyer.

On 20 May 1990 I discovered an adult Ambystoma maculatum under a log at the base of a woodland slope in the George Washington National Forest along the eastern boundary of Douthat State Park. Because of the proximity to Bath County, from which the Spotted salamander has not been reported (Tobey, F. 1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, VHS, Purcellville, 114 pp.) a search was initiated for the salamander's presence in Bath County.

After extensive field searches in the surrounding region, three larvae spotted salamanders were obtained by dipnetting on 27 June 1991 in a temporary woodland pool which was located on the east side of State Route 629, approximately 5 meters Northeast from the intersection of this road and the Bath/Alleghany County border. The pool was bisected by the county line. A voucher specimen was submitted to Dr. Joseph Mitchell for disposition with the Smithsonian Museum.

Subsequently, on 29 March 1992, seven Ambystoma maculatum egg masses were found in a gully on the southwest end and below the earthen dam of Douthat Lake. This pool, located 2.5 km north of the 1991 collection site, further confirms the presence of an adult, breeding population of this species in southern Bath County.

Michael S. Hayslett

Department of Biology

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA 24506

Ambystoma opacum (Marbled Salamander): VA: Botetourt Co., 0.65 km SW of the intersection of Co. Rt. 701 and 736, 5 September 1992, Michael S. Hayslett.

While visiting my parents' rural home in northern Botetourt county on the evening of 5 September 1992, my father captured a medium-sized marbled salamander. This serendipitous discovery occurred around 10 p.m. as a result of the animal having scaled a verticle, 60 cm-high patio in its nocturnal movements. Noting the distributional significance of the find, and that the seasonal and weather conditions were appropriate for marbled breeding migration, I excused myself for a road search at 11 p.m.

There had been rains earlier in the day, the ground and pavement was damp, and the air was foggy and humid at 20oC. During the course of a two-hour search, a total of 10 other marbled salamanders were discovered, unfortunately 8 of those were DOR. The first DOR was approximately 0.85 km SW of the intersection of Co. Rt. 701 and 736 where 2 Eurycea cirrigera and 2 Notopthalmus viridescens (red efts) were also observed as they crossed the wet asphalt. The second DOR, an A. opacum also found on Co. Rt. 701 approximately 0.55 km SW of the intersection with 736. In the immediate vicinity of the intersection, I found 6 more DOR A. opacum and 2 live animals. The 3 live salamanders out of the 11 total were males, each with enlarged cloacal areas.

These observations and a previous Ambystoma maculatum encounter (Catesbeiana, 12(2):46) imply that this is a significant migration corridor for breeding ambystomid salamanders. A search for the Ambystoma breeding site will continue. These 11 A. opacum represent a new county record for the species (cf. Tobey, 1985, Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles, p. 38). One specimen from 0.65 km SW of the intersection of Co. Rt. 701 and 736 will be deposited in a national museum as a voucher specimen.

Michael S. Hayslett

Liberty University

P.O. Box 20000

Lynchburg, VA 24506-8001

Ambystoma opacum (Marbled Salamander): VA: Craig Co., app. 3.9 km N of Marshalltown. 21 May 1994, Michael S. Haylsett and William Gayle, M.D.

While surveying for herpetofauna in the northern part of the county, the man-made wetlands created by the U.S. Forest Service at the Fenwick Mines Recreation Area on VA 685 yielded larval specimens of the county record for this species (cf. Tobey, 1985, Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles, p. 38).

During continuing surveys on 24 May, the upper ponds were found to have an abundance of ambystomid larvae, and several additional specimens were then collected and subsequently cultured at the facilities of Liberty University until 10 August (78 days) to confirm identification. One voucher each of larval and metamorphic specimens will be forwarded to the Virginia Museum of Natural History for disposition.

Recognizing that a multitude of distributional data gaps existed for the herps of this Commonwealth county, a more systematic attention to survey was initiated this spring, to the end of producing a future "Herps of Craig Co." for this journal. Field researchers and herpers are encouraged to assist in filling any of these gaps while in the area.

Michael S. Hayslett

Lynchburg Parks and Recreation Dept.

301 Grove Street

Lynchburg, VA 24502

Amphiuma means (Two Toed Amphiuma): VA: Isle of Wight Co. Virginia Route 608, 1.5 km South of interstate with Virginia Route 635, 4.5 km Southeast of Windsor, 2 June 1993. M.D. Norman.

A single specimen was collected in a chicken wire funnel trap in a vernal pond located on property currently owned by Norfolk and Southern Railway. Identification of the specimen was confirmed by Dr. Joe Mitchell and was deposited by him in the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville (catalogue VMNH R-6660). This species has not been previously recorded from Isle of Wight County (Tobey, F. 1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, Privately Published, Virginia Herpetol. Soc., Purcellville, VA, 114 pp.).

The vernal pond was about 2.5 acres (maximum pool level) in size. The maximum depth observed was 38 inches. Water depth and temperature were noted as follows

4/22/93 1725 38 55

4/24193 2225 38 59

5/07/93 1835 70

5/13/93 1915 34 73

5/22(93 1250 61

5/27/93 1815 73

6/02/93 1820 30 65

6/05/93 1543 72

6/09/93 1755 80

6/13/93 1624 28 71

6/17/93 1835 27 76

6/19/93 1225 18 76

The pond was dry on 8 September 1993. Sphagnum moss was very dense in the shallow, shaded portions of die pond. Submerged aquatic vegetation was sparse to absent in the deeper area. The water color was dark stained, presumably from high concentration of organic acids. The pH in each of two nearby vernal ponds was 5.8 on 14 March 1993.

Sampling efforts in the pond consisted of two chicken wire funnel traps set continuously from 7 May to 19 June 1993. The only other vertebrates collected in the pond were two specimens of spotted turtles, Clemmys guttata.

Mitchell D; Norman

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

5268-B Godwin Blvd.

Suffolk, VA 23434

Aneides aeneus (Green Salamander): VA: Wythe County: South side of Va. Rt. 717, midway between U.S. Rt. 52 and Interstate 77. Stony Fork area. 25 October 1975. Fred First.

While examining and cataloging an assortment of preserved amphibians and reptiles, a new county record for Aneides aeneus was discovered. The specimen was found 20 feet above the ground, under the bark of a tree, being cut for firewood. This species has not previously been recorded from Wythe County according to Tobey (1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, Privately Published, Virginia Herpetol. Soc., Purcellville, VA, 114 pp.), Mitchell (pers. comm.) and Hoffman (pers. comm.).

The easternmost records of this species are two specimens collected by Richard Hoffman from Burkes Garden in Tazewell County on August 30, 1963 (USNM 150943-150944) and a specimen collected near Mechanicsburg in Bland County. The current specimen represents a southeastern range extension of approximately 18 km from the Tazewell County locality and a south-southwestward extension of approximately 26 km from the Bland site. The specimen is in the collection of the Biology Department of Wytheville Community College in Wytheville, Virginia.

Dr. Donald W. Linzey

Dept. of Biology

Wytheville Community College

Wytheville, VA 24382

Eurycea longicauda longicauda (Long-tailed Salamander): VA: Craig Co., Barbours Creek at Co. Rd. 617, 5.25 km NE of Co. Rd. 611. 16 June 1993. Paul Sattler and Gordon Wilson.

While on a collecting trip for Desmognathus in Craig County, we captured a single specimen of Eurycea longicauda longicauda, which constitutes a new county record. The long-tailed salamander was found under a rock approximately 0.3 m from the edge of Barbours Creek. The creek at this locality has a rocky bottom with a small floodplain which is also rock strewn. The habitat is quite typical for Eurycea, and indeed Eurycea longicauda longicauda has been reported from every adjacent county in the state (Toby, F.J. 1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, VHS, Purcellville, VA 114 pp.). The absence of previous reports from Craig County for this and many other species of herps must be due to a lack of searching. This suggests that Craig County is long overdue for an exerted effort to survey its herpetofauna. The specimen is being given to Joseph Mitchell for deposition in an appropriate national museum.

Paul Sattler, and Gordon Wilson

Liberty University

Department of Biology

Lynchburg, VA 24506

Hemidactylium scutatum (Four-toed Salamander): VA: Augusta County, ca. 4 km WNW of the intersection of FR 42 and VA 664. 7 May 1995. Michael S. Hayslett and James H. Scranton.

A lone, adult Four-toes Salamander was discovered inside a decaying pine log along the margin of a "sphagnum swamp pond", at the southwestern corner of the Maple Flats Research Natural Area, on the George Washington National Forest. The habitat may be described as a seasonally-flooded, woodland pond in mixed hardwoods (Red Maple dominant) of ca. 30 meters diameter. Sphagnum moss and shrub heaths were abundant throughout, as were rotten cover logs along the margin of this vernal wetland. Redback Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) were common under the perimeter logs, and spent Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) jelly littered the dark, tannic waters.

This specimen represents the first known voucher for the species from Augusta County (Tobey, F.J. 1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, VHS, Purcellville, VA 114 pp., and J.C. Mitchell, pers. comm.) and an expected addition to the impressive assemblage of herpetofauna found in the Maple Flats ecosystem. The voucher will be forwarded to the Virginia Museum of Natural History for disposition.

Michael S. Hayslett

Lynchburhg Parks & Rec Division

301 Grove Street

Lynchburg, VA 24501

Hemidactylium scutatum (Four-toed salamander): VA: Chesterfield County. 20 February 1995. Dirk Stevenson.

On 20 February 1995, I observed four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) nests at a sphagnous depression in the Pocahontas State Forest, Chesterfield County, Virginia. In so far as I can determine, this appears to be the earliest nesting date for this species.

Wood (1995. The nesting of the four-toed salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum (Schlegel), in Virginia. Amer. Midl. Natur. 53(2): 381-389.) documented that four-toed salamanders are common on the coastal plain of Virginia, and reported data for 224 four-toed salamander nests found at 21 localities in the coastal plain and piedmont of Virginia (the majority of these nests were from 18 localities in the coastal plain). The earliest nests found by Wood were observed on 24 February (in 1951) at a coastal plain locality near Williamsburg. Most four-toed egg masses found were deposited between 24 February and 10 March, leading him to state that peak nesting for this species occurs within a discrete two-week period. Wood also mentioned, however, that some females may occasionally oviposit outside of the peak nesting period. He received a report of four-toed salamander eggs close to hatching that were found near Denbeigh, Virginia on 4 March 1951. Taking into account the time required for four-toed salamander eggs to develop, Wood assumed that this clutch was probably deposited during December or January.

The earliest reported nesting date for the four-toed salamander that I located in the literature is 23 February for a single nest found in the upper coastal plain (Fall Line Hills), Bibb County, Alabama (Mount, H.R. 1975. The reptiles and amphibians of Alabama. Agric. Exper. Station. Auburn, Alabama. 347 pp.) The earliest reported nesting dates for more northern sites, 2 April for Ohio (Daniel, P.M. 1989. Hemidactylium scutatum (Schlegel) - Four-toed Salamander. In: The Salamanders of Ohio. R.A. Pfingsten and F.L. Downs (eds) Bulletin of the Ohio Biological Survey 7(2):1-315), 12 April for southern Michigan (Blanchard, F.N. 1934. The date of egg-laying of the four-toed salamander Hemidactylium scutatum (Schlegel) in southern Michigan. Papers Michigan Acad. Sco., Arts, Letters 19:571-575.), and 13 April for New York (Bishop. S.C. 1941. The salamanders of New York. New York State Museum Bulletin 324:1-365.) demonstrate that nesting in these areas occurs considerably later in the year compared to the Virginia coastal plain. Similar to the observations of Wood (op. cit.), the four-toed salamander populations studied by Blanchard in southern Michigan appeared to initiate and complete nesting within a period of two weeks (the later half of April for those in southern Michigan). However, another study in Michigan found gravid female four-toed salamanders migrating to breeding ponds between 28 March and 10 May, suggesting a more protracted period for egg deposition (Breitenbach, G.L. 1982. The frequency of communal nesting and solitary brooding in the salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum. J. Herp. 16(4):341-346.).

If the exodus from hibernation sites, subsequent movement to breeding ponds, and the initial nesting of female four-toed salamanders are stimulated by moderate soil/surface temperatures combined with rain, then it could be predicted that populations at more southern latitudes, especially populations within the southeastern coastal plain, may typically nest earlier than Virginia coast plain populations. In North Carolina, coastal plain populations of Hemidactylium nest during January and February, while in the piedmont, nesting occurs in scattered, isolated populations in the Gulf coastal plain of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Other than the aforementioned nest found 23 February in Alabama, I could find no references specific to four-toed salamander nesting dates for these states.

Considering Woods’ (op. cit.) observations of Hemidactylium nesting in Virginia, my 20 February nesting observation is hardly surprising. On this date I observed five four-toed salamander females attending nests and another five gravid females beneath sphagnum moss lining a shallow depression (a voucher specimen, an adult female, will be deposited in the Virginia Museum of Natural History herpetological collection). On 1 March 1996, I revisited this site and found six nests and two gravid females. Preceding by discovery of nests on 20 February 1995, southeastern Virginia experienced several days of warm weather, including heavy warm rains on 16 February 1995. Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) migrations to breeding sites were observed on the evening of 16 February in Louisa County (Hobbson, C., per. com.). Following hibernation, four-toed salamander females migrate to breeding sites in late winter-early spring. It can be postulated that the combination of moderate temperatures and heavy rains which stimulate spotted salamanders to migrate almost certainly are a good indicator that four-toed salamander migrations and nesting are underway.

Dirk Stevenson

Virginia Division of Natural Heritage

Main Street Station

1500 E. Main Street, Suite 312

Richmond, VA 23219

Plethodon cinereus (Red-backed Salamander): VA: Craig Co., Mountain Lake natural area (Jefferson Nat. Forest, War Spur Trail), 10 Oct. 1993, Dylan J. Ward.

My father, my brother, and I visited Mountain Lake natural area for a recreational day hike, and I decided to do some herping, as the woods were moist and seemed the perfect environment for salamanders. It was a bit chilly, so I didn't expect to find much, but, under the third log I turned over was a Plethodon cinereus. Everybody started looking as we walked down the trail, and in thirty-five minutes we had counted 27 cinereus and one Plethodon cylindraceous (White-spotted Slimy Salamander). By the end of the two-hour hike, we had counted 40 salamanders, all within six feet of either side of the well-used trail.

All of the cinereus were in the Red-backed phase, but some were more of a tan color than red. I have heard of some populations of P. cinereus with lemon yellow stripes, and believe that this is a color between red and yellow. I would also like to recommend this area for further study, as the habitat is perfect for salamanders.

Dylan J. Ward

295 Church St.

Christiansburg, VA 24073

Plethodon cinereus (Red-backed Salamander): VA: Campbell Co., Gladys, 0.5 km S. of Mollies Creed Bridge on Co. Rt. 650. 12 March 1997 and 20 March 1997. Doug Eggleston.

A total of three Plethodon cinereus were found under stones in the backyard of a residence bordering Co. Rt. 650 (Mosebrook Rd.). One specimen (approximately 7.5 cm TL) was captured on 12 March 1997 and two others (approximately 5.0 cm TL each) on 20 March 1997. The weather was sunny and dry on both days with the temperature 16o C. All animals were captured, photographed, and released at the same site as capture on 20 April 1997.

Doug Eggleston Wendy Shupe

Rt. 2 Box 25-A 1304 Rivermont Ave.

Glaldys, VA 24554 Lynchburg, VA 24504

Plethodon hubrichti (Peaks of Otter salamander): VA: Rockbridge County, Blue Ridge Parkway at Thunder Ridge Overlook, 9.1 km S of Natural Bridge Station. 9 April 1991. Christopher A. Pague, Michael Hayslett, and Pete Kramer.

Two adult Peaks of Otter salamanders were observed in approximately 1.5 person hours of collecting just below and north of the parking area of the Thunder Ridge Overlook. The occurrence of this species in Rockbridge County was first reported by Gordon Thurow (1957. A new Plethodon for Virginia. Herpetologica 13:59-66). However, the identity and exact location of the associated specimen have remained unclear. The earlier specimen, Carnegie Museum No. 93317, was taken from a "ravine head" in "Jefferson Forest" near "Greenlee", a town that once occurred near the James River along the Norfolk and Western Railroad, C.A. Pague and D.A. Young have collected in the general area several times, finding only Plethodon cinereus and P. cylindraceus. Richard Highton (1986. Plethodon hubrichti Thurow. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles 292:1-2.) excluded this site and Rockbridge County from the known range of the species. The senior author attempted to find this species at Thunder Ridge in Rockbridge County on seven previous occasions in the past decade, without success and had concluded that the species was in fact restricted to Botetourt and Bedford Counties (Pague . 1991. In K. Terwilleger (Coordinator). Virginia's Endangered Species, McDonald and Woodword Publ. Co., Blacksburg, VA). The discovery of the individuals found on April 9, 1991 confirm the occurrence of this species in southernmost Rockbridge County in habitat that is typical of that for the species. It is noteworthy that Plethodon cinereus is not found in syntopy with P. hubrichti throughout most of the latter species range; yet, P. cinereus was abundant at the Thunder Ridge locality. One specimen was retained as voucher material and is being temporarily maintained in the C.A. Pague collection to be deposited in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Christopher A. Pague

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Division of Natural Heritage

203 Governor St., Suite 402

Richmond, VA 23219

Michael Hayslett and Pete Kramer

Biology Department

Liberty University

Box 20,000

Lynchburg, VA 24506

Plethodon hubrichti (Peaks of Otter Salamander): Bedford County, VA. Behavioral observations on the movement of individuals.

During a mark/recapture study on P. hubrichti in 1991 we observed very limited movements by individual salamanders. The average distance observed for recaptures (N = 24) was 1.0 meter. This finding supports the observation that P. hubrichti has never yet been observed on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Joe Mitchell, pers. comm.) which is the major road through their limited range. This had led to the hypothesis that the Parkway and possibly smaller logging roads could subdivide the range, fragment the population by isolating populations, and threaten the species through the effects of inbreeding and reduced genetic variation. That medium to large roads can restrict salamander movement has been observed for the closely related P. nettingi (Cheat Mountain salamander) (Thomas Pauley, pers. comm). With this history, our recent observations of P. hubrichti on roads and in parking lots of the Blue Ridge Parkway appear worthy of reporting.

On 5 September 1992 at approximately 9 p.m. one P. hubrichti was observed in the middle of FS 736 approximately 50 meters SW of FS 5067. Since the salamander was in the middle of the approximately 2 meter wide gravel road it appears likely that salamanders can cross them.

On 23 September 1992 at approximately 11 p.m. another P. hubrichti was observed, this time on the east side of the Sunset Field parking lot heading west. If the salamander had traveled in a straight line it had already crossed the Parkway, coming from the east, and at least a portion of the grassy medium between the Parkway and parking lot. If it had not traveled in a straight line, it must have already crossed the parking lot and was then returning to the west side. In either case, its location could not have been reached without crossing either the Parkway or the parking lot, which is at least as wide as the Parkway.

Later that same night at about midnight, another P. hubrichti was observed near the parking lot on the west side of the Parkway pointing west. If it had traveled in a straight line it had just crossed the Parkway coming from the east. Three additional salamanders were observed on the west side of the parking lot pointing east as if they had just entered the parking lot.

These observations contradict our earlier observations from the mark/recapture study of limited movements. They suggest that logging roads and even the Parkway do not make unpassable barriers and may be crossed at least occasionally. It is not clear whether these movements are normal or seasonal. It also points out the importance of direct night- time observations of nocturnal salamanders to describe normal behavior.

Paul Sattler and Mike Hayslett

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA 24506

Psuedotriton m. montanus (Eastern Mud Salamander): VA: Greene Co.: Swift Run ca. 10 m W of US 33, 19.2 km W of US 29, ca. 9 km W of Stanardsville, 14 June 1990, R. Terry Spohn.

One larva with adult coloration found under rocks in Swift Run. The single specimen was photographed and preserved (Carnegie Museum via Joe Mitchell). Occurring in and along the stream were also larval and adult Gyrinophilus porphyriticus, larval and adult Eurycea bislineata, adult Desmognathus monticola, D. fuscus, and Plethodon cinereus.

This specimen is both a new county record and a significant westward extension of about 65 km beyond its western range in Hanover Co. (Tobey, 1985, Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A distributional Survey, Privately Published, Virginia Herpetol. Soc., Purcellville, VA, p. 49). Although it is possible that this is a relict population from a previously larger range, it would appear prudent to search suitable habitats for intermediate populations.

R. Terry Spohn and Paul W. Sattler

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA 24506

Pseudotriton montanus (Eastern Mud Salamander): VA: Pittsylvania County, ca 7 km NE of Axton, along South Prong Sandy River at Soapstone. 13 May - 15 June 1992. VMNH survey. Richard Hoffman.

An adult (140 mm TL), typically marked individual (VMNH 6506) of this species was recovered form a drift fence capture system operated by the VMNH during an inventory of terrestrial arthropods. A network of four pitfalls connected by fences 4 m. in length had been installed at the end of March 1992, and retrievals in April and May yielded numerous arthropods and annelids but no salamanders of any species.

The collection site is a small floodplain habitat adjacent to the upper reaches of Sandy River's South Prong, which is here entrenched 1-2 m. into the terrace level, with overall clean sandy-gravelly bed and appreciable current. Forest cove is dominately tulip-poplar (Liriodendron) with a wide variety of herbaceous understory plants. The substrate is deep sandy loam, exploited by moles and woodchucks. The capability of the Mud Salamander to survive in a biotype so markedly different from the "normal" coastal plain swamp habitat characteristic of this species is noteworthy in implying a much greater Piedmont distribution than currently perceived. In the present instance, possibly a true flood plain swamp existed prior to settlement and cultivation of the region, which could have greatly accelerated entrenchment of the stream course and contingent lowering of the water table. Of course it is still implied that montanus is capable of breeding and larval development in clear running water, there being at present no trace of even temporary lentic habitats near the capture site.

Although the great majority of known Virginia localities for this species (east of the Blue Ridge) are either in the Coastal Plain or immediately adjacent to the Fall Line, a scattering of Piedmont sites exists, notably for Appomattox, Charlotte, and Nottoway counties (Tobey, 1985, Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles, p. 49). Future discoveries may show that a line between Fairfax and Martinsville approximates the western limits of montanus in the eastern part of its Virginia range (I have seen nothing in the material personally collected in southwestern Virginia to substantiate the validity of the nominal subspecies P. montanus diastictus Bishop).

Richard L. Hoffman

Virginia Museum of Natural History

Martinsville, VA 24112

Siren lacertina (Greater Siren): VA: City of Virginia Beach: 3.2 km E of Dam Neck Corner, Dam Neck Navy Base. 6 June 1990. Kurt Buhlmann.

Three individuals were captured in a shallow interdunal swale pond, adjacent to the southeast corner of Redwing Lake. These specimens were preserved and are presently in the Division of Natural Heritage collection. Two more individuals were captured and released in a nearby interdunal marsh on the Base on 2 September 1990. Siren lacertina was last collected from this vicinity (Dam Neck Mills, Life Saving Station) on 24 February 1891 by W.C. Carrol (U.S. National Museum of Natural History, USNM 16683).

Kurt A. Buhlmann

Division of Natural Heritage

Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation

203 Governor St., Suite 402

Richmond, VA 23219

Siren lacertina (greater siren): VA: Amelia County, approximately 0.8 km S of Co. Rt. 644 and approximately 2.4 km W of the intersection of Co. Rt. 544 and Co. Rt. 681, 1 March 1998. Joe Skinner

One adult greater siren was collected just before dark (roughly 1800 hours) approximately 3 m from the water on the dam of a private farm pond. This specimen was observed along with 3 others at the same time and location. While only 1 of the 3 was collected and positively identified, all were believed to be of the same species based on general appearance. All were moving in an eel-like manner away from the water. The pond is located just north of Flat Creek Swamp. The pond dam was covered with unidentified grass that was estimated at 10 cm in height. The specimen measured 372 mm total length (TL), 255 mm snout-vent length (SVL), and weighed 76 g (Mike Pinder, VDGIF, pers. com.). This is the first reported collection of a greater siren in Amelia County (Tobey, F.J. 1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles, A Distributional Survey. Virginia Herpetol. Soc. Purcellville. 114 pp.). This is the western most recorded finding of the greater siren in Virginia. The specimen will be donated to the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

Karle O. Woodward

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

HC 6, Box 46

Farmville, VA 23901

Stereochilus marginatus (Many-lined Salamander): VA: Surry County, Cypress Swamp at county road 647, 2.3 km SSE of Spring Grove. 28 April 1991. Michael Hayslett, Christopher A. Pague, Paul Sattler, Kurt Buhlmann, Pete Warney, Joe Mitchell.

Several larval and adult Many-lined Salamanders were collected from Cypress Swamp by the members of the Virginia Herpetological Society who joined in on the Sunday field trips. The specimens were collected from the muck and litter in the stream flowing through the swamp. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Liberty University Vertebrate Collection and photographs were taken by C.A. Pague, J.C. Mitchell, P.W. Sattler, and K.A. Buhlmann. This is the first record of this species from Surry County (Frank Tobey. 1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, Privately published, Purcellville, 114 pp.)

Christopher A. Pague

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

203 Governor St., Suite 402

Richmond, VA 23219

Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator): VA: Stafford County, Aquia Creek. 25 May 1982. Stuart Daggett.

An immature female alligator (snout-vent length 69.5 cm, total length 144.5 cm; measurements taken after thawing) was shot with a 22 caliber rifle on this date by Marvin Jett. He and his brother were washing their truck in the creek. S. Daggett (pers. comm.) noted the location should be Accakeek Creek, a tributary of Potomac Creek just south of the mouth Aquia Creek. He said that a truck driver picked up the alligator somewhere in the south and tried to give it away but turned it loose near U.S. Route 1 and Potomac Creek. It was found within one month of its apparent release. The specimen lacked abrasions on the venter and feet usually characteristic of captive specimens. It did, however, have one abrasion on the throat. S. Daggett, then a Virginia Game Warden, gave the specimen to the National Museum of National History on 14 October 1982. It was maintained frozen until early December 1989, skeletonized, and cataloged as USNM 291916.

Acknowledgment: I am grateful to Stuart Daggett for supplemental information on this specimen.

Joseph C. Mitchell

Dept. of Biology

University of Richmond

Richmond, VA 23173

Cnemidophorus sexlineatus sexlineatus (Six-Lined Racerunner): VA: Campbell County, 1.8 km SSE of the intersection of county roads 221 and 621. Lynchburg, VA. 30 July 1992, Michael S. Hayslett.

Four or five adult racerunners ranging in size from approximately 130-230 cm in total length, were observed on the above date along a section of the nature trail on the property of J. Crew Outfitters, while accompanied by Shane Barker. The site is located approximately 150 meters NW of the Norfolk and Western RR culvert over Tomahawk Creek at 230 m elevation. The site consisted of a 30 m section of the trail on either side of a drainage pipe and wash-out area. It is characterized by dry, loose, well-drained soil with tall grasses and thickets bordering the trail. The fine-sized "crush and run" gravel the company applied to the trail surface appears to accentuate the arid-like habitat of this microenvironment.

With persistence, two specimens were eventually collected on July 30, 1992. On my entry to the site, a male was observed with a caterpillar-like prey item in its mouth. A male was later collected near this first sighting, but I presumed that it was a different animal as a gut analysis did not yield a caterpillar. The male measured 245 mm in total length, with a SVL of 80 mm. The stomach contents included: one large red ant, two field crickets, one gnat/black fly, one grasshopper larva, one 3-4 mm snail as well as miscellaneous plant and invertebrate debris.

A female with a total length of 168 mm and a SVL of 55 mm was also collected approximately 100 m south of the site, along the railway line where the habitat consists of dry, open, thicket-bordered dirt fields. The specimens were collected by means of 1/2" rubberbands after "cat and mouse" waiting games. This locality represents a record for this species in Campbell County (Tobey, F.J. 1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, VHS, Purcellville, VA 114 pp.). The population appears to be stable at this location. The female specimen was forwarded to Joe Mitchell for disposition with the Smithsonian.

Michael S. Hayslett

Dept. of Biology

Liberty University

Box 20,000

Lynchburg, VA 24506-8001

Cnemidophorus sexlineatus sexlineatus (Six-lined Racerunner). VA: Franklin Co., 1.6 km S Jct. St. Rt. 40 and Co. Rt. 662 on N side of Jack's Creek, 5 km E Gladehill. 3 June 1992. T. J. Rawinski.

Six-lined racerunners inhabit a wide variety of xeric habitats in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of Virginia, as well as dry habitats associated with the James River watershed extending into Alleghany County (Mitchell, 1994. The Reptiles of Virginia, Smithsonian Inst. Press, Washington, D.C., 352 pp.). During the course of investigating the vegetation of an isolated serpentine barren in eastern Franklin County, one of us (TJR) recorded an adult racerunner among the bedrock outcrops and sparse vegetation. The vegetative community can be described as a natural grassland fringed by a xerophytic pine-oak woodland (Rawinski, 1994. Virginia J. Sci. 45:108, abstract). This is the first record for this species on a serpentine barren in the Commonwealth. A single individual was observed but a directed search within the five hectare of potential habitat was not carried out.

A kodachrome slide was taken of the adult observed on this date and deposited with the Virginia Herpetological Society slide archives. This is the first verified record of a racerunner population in Franklin County (Mitchell, op. cit.).

Thomas J. Rawinski Joseph C. Mitchell

VA Department of Conservation Department of Biology

and Recreation University of Richmond

Division of Natural Heritage Richmond, VA 23173

1500 E. Main St., Suite 312

Richmond, VA 23219

Eumeces a. anthracinus (Northern Coal Skink): VA: Botetourt Co., 2.83 km (1.48 mi) SSW of Longdale Recreation Area, GWNF, 1 August 1994, Michael S. Hayslett.

A juvenile lizard was captured on a shaley, SW-facing ridge, at app. 448.5 m (1480') elevation along the Anthony Knobbs Trail in the George Washington National Forest. The discovery of this animal represents the eight locality for this species in Virginia and the second for Botetourt County (Mitchell, J. 1994. The Reptiles of Virginia. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 384 pp; Roble, S. 1994. Field Notes. Catesbeiana 14:40-42).

The habitat is characterized as a xeric area of an upland hardwood ridge with surface exposures of shale and no immediate water source. This habitat appeared more closely related to a shale barren-type environment than the customary moist forest (see discussion by Steve Roble in previous field note on p. 41). This site is located app. 15.8 km SE of the McGraw Gap population, which was described by Dr. Richard Hoffman as the first known occurrence of the Coal Skink in the state (Proc. of the Biol. Soc. of Washington; 57:122, 1994).

The juvenile appeared superficially like Scincella lateralis, with a broad dorsal stripe, but with a royal blue tail and an orange-red head. The specimen will be forwarded to Dr. Hoffman at the Virginia Museum of Natural History for verification and disposition.

Michael S. Hayslett

Lynchburg Parks and Recreation Dept.

301 Grove Street

Lynchburg, VA 24501

Eumeces anthracinus anthracinus (Northern Coal Skink) VA: Alleghany Co., George Washington National Forest, Cowpasture River 3 km SSE of Nicelytown, 13 April 1994, S. M. Roble.

The coal skink is the least well known of the limbed lizards in Virginia. The first Virginia specimen was collected by Richard Hoffman in Alleghany County in 1942 (Hoffmann, R. L. 1944. Eumeces anthracinus (Baird) in Virginia. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 57: 122-124). He found this species at two sites near Clifton Forge. Additional sites have been added very slowly. Tobey (1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, Virginia Herpetological Society, Purcellville, VA. 114 pp.) plotted one new record each in Albemarle and Patrick Counties, and Mitchell and Pague (1987. A review of reptiles of special concern in Virginia. Virginia Journal of Science 38: 319-328) added single sites in Augusta and Botetourt Counties. Mitchell (1994. The reptiles of Virginia. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 384 pp.) mapped a total of six sites for this species in the state and discussed the types of habitats (generally moist forests) where coal skinks have been found in Virginia.

On 13 April 1994 while surveying a dry, steep, west-facing shale barren in Alleghany County for rare butterflies, I observed an adult male Eumeces a. anthracinus. This slope rises abruptly above the east side of the Cowpasture River immediately north of the Interstate 64 bridge. It appears to be one of the largest shale barrens in the state, extending for about 1.8 km along the river. After a midday rainshower, temperatures climbed above 27oC. The specimen was an adult male in breeding condition, as evidenced by the reddish color on the sides of his head. When first observed he was basking on the lowermost branch of a Virginia pine tree, about 0.7 meters above the ground and roughly halfway up the slope. I attempted to make him jump into my butterfly net but he leapt to the ground and ran 1-2 meters before stopping beside a shale fragment. I successfully coaxed the lizard into my net and examined him carefully for several minutes before granting his release.

This is the third locality reported for coal skinks in eastern Alleghany County. Also of note was the lizard's arboreal behavior, which is not characteristic of this species (Mitchell, 1994). Although Green and Pauley (1987. Amphibians and Reptiles in West Virginia, University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA. 241 pp.) reported that coal skinks in West Virginia favor dry shale barrens, this is the first record of this species in this type of habitat in Virginia. Despite surveying approximately 20 shale barrens in Virginia during warm, sunny days in April and May of the past two years, this was my first encounter with coal skinks in this habitat. Lizards that I have seen regularly on shale barren slopes are the northern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus) and, to a lesser degree, the five-lined skink (Eumeces fasciatus). Therefore, it appears that shale barrens are not a preferred habitat of coal skinks in Virginia, or else this species occurs in such low densities in these habitats that it is not readily detected. I only observed the one adult despite spending seven hours at the Cowpasture River shale barren. Neither of my companions, Division of Natural Heritage plant community ecologists Thomas J. Rawinski and William H. Moorhead, observed any coal skinks although they did see several individuals of both of the other two species mentioned above. We collectively spent about 20 man-hours surveying this slope with but a single observation of Eumeces a. anthracinus.

Steven M. Roble

Division of Natural Heritage

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

1500 E. Main Street, Suite 312

Richmond, Virginia 23219

Eumeces fasciatus (Five-lined skink): VA: Floyd Co., Rocky Knob, 100 m E of Blue Ridge Parkway, mile 169.6, elevation = 1050 m. Shay Garriock.

A female five-lined skink was found guarding her nest in Floyd Co., VA on 5 August 1996. The nest was located beneath a flat rock (0.3 x 0.2 m) in a pasture on Rocky Knob. The female attending the nest was photographed, measured, and released: snout-vent length = 68 mm; total length = 163 mm; clutch size = 6; avg. egg length = 13.9 mm. This is a distribution record for Floyd Co. (Mitchell, J.C. 1994. The Reptiles of Virginia. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 352 pp.). Slides were sent to VHS for verification.

This may be the only documented sighting in Virginia of a female attending her nest in August Mitchell (1994) reported findings of five lined skinks attending nests from 16 June to 26 July.

Shay Garriock

P.O. Box 64

Eggleston, VA 24086

Ophiosaurus attenatus (eastern slender glass lizard) VA: Powhatan County: County Route 615 (Three Bridges Road), 1.9 km east of junction State Route 522, approximately 4.5 km SSE of Jefferson. 3 August 1995. Robert A.S. Wright

A DOR specimen of the eastern slender glass lizard was found along this dusty, unpaved section of Route 615 at a point where a high-tension power line crosses through mature hardwood forest. As reported by Mitchell (1994, Reptiles of Virginia, Smithsonian Press, Washington D.C. 352 pp), glass lizards frequent grassland habitats on dry, well drained soils. It is of note that this specimen was killed adjacent to a somewhat scrubby, grass-dominated power line easement cut through an otherwise closed canopied hardwood forest. Although the specimen was broken into several pieces, it measured approximately 44.60 cm and had a complete tail.

The gently rolling upland terrain in which this specimen was discovered is rapidly yielding to large-lot residential subdivisions. In some cases, recently clearcut land, which is in a broomsedge-dominated successional stage, is being developed for housing and associated infrastructure, thus destroying potential habitat for the glass lizard. This specimen, which is being donated to the Virginia Museum of Natural History collection, apparently represents only the third record for Powhatan County (Mitchell 1994, op. cit., page 148; Tobey 1985, Virginia’s Amphibians and Reptiles: A distributional Study, VA. Herp. Soc., Purcellville, VA 114 pp.).

Robert A.S. Wright

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

7188 Chapman Drive

Hayes, VA 23072

Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle) and Lepidochelys kempi (Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle): VA: Virginia Beach/Norfolk. 8-14 December 1989. S. Barco and T. Pitchford.

Five live sea turtles, one Atlantic ridley and four loggerheads were stranded between 8 December and 14 December 1989. On 8 December, a 60 lb. loggerhead was stranded at 29th St. and on 9 December another loggerhead was stranded at Lynnhaven Inlet. On 10 December, a 75 lb. loggerhead was found at False Cape State Park, approximately 2 miles from the North Carolina state line. A 5.5 lb. Atlantic ridley was picked up at Seashore State Park on 11 December.

These turtles all suffered from cold shock brought on by a prolonged period of extremely cold weather. Two of the loggerheads and the ridley were transported to the Virginia Marine Science Museum for initial treatment. They were later transported to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) for long-term rehabilitation. The ridley, which suffered external wounds to the eyes and flippers apparently inflicted by birds, died on 12 December. Another final live loggerhead stranding occurred in Norfolk at Willoughby Spit on 14 December. This turtle joined the other 3 loggerheads at VIMS. All 4 turtles have been fully rehabilitated and are awaiting release (D. Keinath, VIMS, Personal Communication).

Five dead loggerheads have been reported since the last live stranding. All of the carcasses were in good shape (condition 3) signifying recent death. It is very unusual to have such late strandings since most sea turtles leave this area by November (Keinath et al. 1987. Va. J. Sci. 38:329-336). Water temperatures in Chesapeake Bay are too low to allow sea turtles to overwinter. Animals exposed to water temperatures below 12o C become lethargic and will eventually die. The water temperature on 8 December was 10o C. These live strandings are the latest recorded strandings in Virginia (D. Keinath, VIMS, personal communication). The turtles were most likely late migrators caught by the rapid drop in sea water temperature.

Susan G. Barco and Thomas D. Pitchford

Virginia Marine Science Museum

717 General Booth Boulevard

Virginia Beach, BA 23451

Chelydra serpentina serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle): VA: Sussex Co., Co. Rt. 735, 1.2 km N of Co. Rt. 631, on the north side of Raccoon Creek Bridge. 24 April 1990. Don Schwab.

The specimen was alive on the road. Snapping turtles have not been reported from Sussex Co. (Tobey, 1985. Virginia's Amphibians and Reptiles: A Distributional Survey, Privately Published, Purcellville, VA., 114 pp.). Norman (1989. Catesbeiana 9(1):9-14) reports snapping turtles from the Blackwater River, but does not state if those collected were from Sussex or Southampton County. The turtle, with a carapace length of 9.0 cm, will be maintained alive for educational purposes and a photograph deposited with the VHS file.

Don Schwab

Virginia Wildlife Division

P.O. Box 847

Suffolk, VA 23434

Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle): VA: Caroline Co., Rt. 1218, Bowling Green, VA, May 18, 1991, Dale Brittle.

An adult female snapping turtle was observed from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. the morning of 18 May 1991 in a plowed garden plot, approximately .4 km from a local pond and .2 km from a swampy low-land area. She deposited a clutch of 4 eggs in a hole dug 8 - 10 inches deep. Before selecting this site, she dug 5 holes, apparently not to her liking. The temperature was 24.5o C. (photo enclosed for VHS file).

Dale Brittle

Box 681

Bowling Green, FA 22427

Chelydra S. Serpentia (Snapping Turtle) VA: Campbell Co., U.S. 501 N, 1.0 km N of Rustburg. 23 June 1997. Doug Eggleston.

A road-killed Chelydra S. Serpentia was found on U.S. 501 at 9:00 am on 23 June 1997. The weather at that time was dry and the temperature was 28o C. The carapace was approximately 30 cm in length. The head was approximately 7.5 cm at the widest part.

Doug Eggleston

Rt. 2 Box 25-A

Glaldys, VA 24554

Chelydra serpentina serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle). VA: Goochland Co., 0.2 km E Junction of I-64 and Co. Rt. 617, 1.0 km N Oilville. 17 October 1995. Joseph C. Mitchell and Christopher Todd W. Georgel.

Freshwater turtles are well-known for their terrestrial activity during warm months, especially during the nesting season (Ernst et al., 1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Inst. Press, Washington, D.C.). Snapping turtles in eastern Maryland are most active in late spring and early summer and become less active in late summer (Gotte et al., 1994. Res. Infor. Bull. 32, USDI Nat. Biol. Sur.). Terrestrial movements in cool to cold months are less well documented.

On 17 October 1995 we observed a common snapping turtle that had been killed by a vehicle during its late season terrestrial movement. The turtle was an immature female with a carapace length of 219 mm and a plastron length of 152 mm. Palpation revealed no eggs present. Mitchell (1994, The Reptiles of Virginia, Smithsonian Inst. Press, Washington, D.C.) reported that the smallest known mature female had a plastron length of 155 mm. The actual date of terrestrial activity is difficult to ascertain. The turtle may have been killed while active during or immediately following the warm rains on 14 October. Its stage of decomposition suggested that it had been dead less than 2-3 days.

The normal activity season for common snapping turtles in Virginia extends from March to October (Mitchell, op. cit.) Dates of terrestrial movements outside of the May-June nesting season are not available for Virginia. An adult was observed crossing a road in North Carolina on an unusually warm day on 24 January (Palmer and Braswell, 1995. Reptiles of North Carolina, Univ. North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC). Gotte et al. (op. cit.) noted that one individual from Maryland vacated its dried-up summer retreat site in mid-October following a heavy rain only to burrow beneath a room mass in 25 cm of water in a wetland 20 meters away until the following March. Our observation demonstrates that common snapping turtles make overland movements in mid-October in central Virginia. The most plausible reason for terrestrial movements in the fall is to find suitable overwintering sites.

Joseph C. Mitchell Christopher Todd W. Georgel

Department of Biology and 11953 West Briarpatch Dr.

School of Continuing Studies Midlothian, VA 23113

University of Richmond

Richmond, VA 23173