Cow Knob salamander

Cow Knob salamander
Conservation status
	; Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Urodela
Family:	Plethodontidae
Subfamily:	Plethodontinae
Genus:	Plethodon
Species:	P. punctatus
Binomial name
	Plethodon punctatus; Highton, 1971 [1972]

The Cow Knob salamander (Plethodon punctatus), also known as the white-spotted salamander (not to be confused with the white-spotted slimy salamander, (P. cylindraceus)), is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to the United States. It is found on Shenandoah Mountain, Nathaniel Mountain and Great North Mountain in eastern West Virginia and western Virginia. Most of its known locations are in the George Washington National Forest.

Its natural habitats are temperate forests, talus, and high elevations.

It is threatened by habitat loss and climate change.[2] While it is a rare species, it is abundant in small localities.

Description

This species is black with white spots. It can be distinguished from similar-looking species by webbing on back feet, light pink coloring on throat, pinkish hue on snout, and dorso-ventrally flattened head.

Behavior

Like most woodland salamanders, this species is mostly nocturnal.

References

Geoffrey Hammerson, Joseph Mitchell (2004). "Plethodon punctatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T59351A11921999. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T59351A11921999.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
Milanovich, Joseph R.; Peterman, William E.; Nibbelink, Nathan P.; Maerz, John C. (2010-08-16). "Projected Loss of a Salamander Diversity Hotspot as a Consequence of Projected Global Climate Change". PLOS ONE. 5 (8): e12189. Bibcode:2010PLoSO...512189M. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0012189. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 2922335. PMID 20808442.

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[iucn_status_17_November_2021-1] Geoffrey Hammerson, Joseph Mitchell (2004). "Plethodon punctatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T59351A11921999. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T59351A11921999.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.

[2] Milanovich, Joseph R.; Peterman, William E.; Nibbelink, Nathan P.; Maerz, John C. (2010-08-16). "Projected Loss of a Salamander Diversity Hotspot as a Consequence of Projected Global Climate Change". PLOS ONE. 5 (8): e12189. Bibcode:2010PLoSO...512189M. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0012189. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 2922335. PMID 20808442.