CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander                                   Desmognathus ochrophaeus

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                 N                 G5               S4                   G5                        S4

    G-Trend        Unknown

    G-Trend        Upland areas - primarily mountainous regions - from New York southward into

    Comment      Tennessee (Conant and Collins 1991).  Occurs more or less continuously in

                          suitable habitat throughout the Cumberland Mountains in extreme southeastern

                          Kentucky; scattered populations occur elsewhere in eastern Kentucky; known

                          from a total of about 16 counties  (J.R. MacGregor Herpetology Maps 2004).

    S-Trend         Unknown

    S-Trend         Unknown rangewide; unknown but possibly declining in Kentucky due to the

    Comment      recent increase in mountaintop removal surface mining in the Cumberlands.  In

                          addition there seems to be an ongoing general Desmognathus decline in

                          northeastern Kentucky for which additional investigation and documentation is

                          needed.  The mountain dusky salamander is known historically from single sites

                           in Carter County and McCreary County and has not been seen at either of

                          these locations despite much searching over the past 20 years.  This species is

                          not tracked by Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

    Habitat /        Somewhat of a habitat specialist in Kentucky; the best habitat includes moist

    Life History  banks, streamheads, seeps, wet spots, and cool moist forests at the highest

                          elevations on Black Mountain and other high peaks in the Cumberlands. 

                          Elsewhere in eastern Kentucky the mountain dusky salamander is found in cool

                          mucky seeps and wet areas near waterfalls, or in close association with dripping

                           rock faces and wet crevices along shaded sandstone or shale cliffs (including

                          coal mine entrances).

    Key               Generally GOOD in the Cumberland Mountains, but only FAIR elsewhere in

    Habitat          eastern Kentucky; populations seem to be declining in the northeast.  The

                          Daniel Boone National Forest cliffline management policy will help maintain

                          habitat for populations that inhabit public lands in the Cliff Section of the

                          Cumberland Plateau. 

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Harlan County - Black Mountain

                          2. Leslie County - Daniel Boone National Forest

    Guilds           caves, rock shelters, and clifflines, Cumberland highland forest, running water,

                          upland forest.

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander                                   Desmognathus ochrophaeus

  Barking Treefrog                                                                                                 Hyla gratiosa

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                  S                 G5               S3                   G5                        S3

    G-Trend        Stable

    G-Trend        The barking treefrog is widespread in southeastern U.S. (Conant and Collins

    Comment      1991).  An isolated population at the northwestern edge of the range occurs in

                          the Western Pennyroyal Karst Plain (Woods et al. 2002) of Kentucky and

                          Tennessee including portions of 8 western Kentucky counties (Redmond and

                          Scott 1996, Kentucky State Nature Preserve Commission 2004, J.R.

                          MacGregor Herpetology Maps 2004).

    S-Trend         Stable

    S-Trend         Rangewide populations are apparently stable.  In our area, Kentucky State

    Comment      Nature Preserves Commission monitoring data shows recent records (1984-

                          2004) for all 8 known Kentucky counties.  Barking treefrogs breed rather

                          sporadically in seasonal and permanent ponds that are located primarily in open

                           agricultural habitats, and several years may pass in a given area between

                          breeding events.  It is quite difficult to track population trends accurately

                          within individual colonies.

    Habitat /        Adult barking treefrogs are generally found only in agricultural areas in

    Life History  Kentucky; most observations are for calling males or tadpoles at breeding

                          ponds.  A few adults can sometimes be found crossing wet roadways on rainy

                          evenings.  It is likely that most adults burrow into the soil and remain

                          underground for much of the year, but this remains to be demonstrated. 

                          Radiotracking studies are needed to determine the habitat requirements of the

                          adults.

    Key               Habitat condition overall is probably GOOD within its limited range in

    Habitat          Kentucky; the amount of cropland and pasture in this area seems to be

                          relatively stable with little or no imminent threat from development or urban

                          expansion. 

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Caldwell County

                          2. Caldwell County

                          3. Logan County

    Guilds           grassland/agricultural, standing water.

  Barking Treefrog                                                                                                 Hyla gratiosa

  Conservation Issues

         Biological/ consumptive uses

              5F      Low population densities

              5H     Isolated populations (low gene flow)

              5K     Lack of suitable habitat for spawning, nesting, or breeding

         Miscellaneous Mortality Factors

              6G     Stochastic events (droughts, unusual weather, pine beetle damage, flooding

                        etc.).  Premature dry-up of breeding pools.

         Terrestrial habitat degradation

              3A     Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual reuse of fields, etc).  Habitat

                        loss (agriculture - breeding sites filled/graded).

              3F      Urban/residential development.  Fragmentation by highways/urbanization

                        (NatureServe 2004).

              3P      Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, acid rain). 

                        Contamination by pesticides/herbicides.

              3R      Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation.  Fragmentation by

                        highways/urbanization (NatureServe 2004).

              3U     Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique microhabitats

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Bird-voiced Treefrog                                                                                             Hyla avivoca

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                  S                 G5               S3                   G5                        S3

    G-Trend        Unknown

    G-Trend        The bird-voiced treefrog is widespread in southeastern U.S., extending

    Comment      northward along the Mississippi and lower Ohio River lowlands into western

                          Kentucky (Conant and Collins 1991).  This species occurs in about 15 counties

                          in the Jackson Purchase and Western Coal Field in western Kentucky

                          (Kentucky State Nature Preserve Commission 2004, Kentucky Herpetology

                          Database 2004, J.R. MacGregor herpetology Maps 2004).

    S-Trend         Decreasing

    S-Trend         The rangewide population trend is unknown but is probably stable.  The bird-

    Comment      voiced treefrog is uncommon to rare in Kentucky and may be declining; some

                          populations (e.g., those in Ballard County) have vanished since the 1960’s. 

                          Comprehensive survey work is needed in the state.  There are recent (1984-

                          2004) records from 14 counties (Kentucky State Nature Preserve Commission

                          2004; J.R. MacGregor data).

    Habitat /        Adults are largely arboreal and occur in and near cypress swamps, various

    Life History  swampy woodlands with some standing water, and bottomland hardwood

                          forests.  Calling males often perch above standing water in buttonbush or

                          tangled vines.  Tadpoles develop in warm shallow waters with emergent

                          vegetation (J.R. MacGregor).

    Key               Habitat condition overall is FAIR. 

    Habitat         

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Hickman County

                          2. Hickman County

                          3. Caldwell County and Hopkins County

    Guilds           Emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands, forested wetland.

  Bird-voiced Treefrog                                                                                             Hyla avivoca

  Conservation Issues

         Terrestrial habitat degradation

              3A     Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual reuse of fields, etc). 

                        loss/conversion of bottomland hardwoods

              3F      Urban/residential development.  fragmentation by highways/urbanization

                        (NatureServe 2004)

              3K     Surface mining

              3R      Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation.  wetland fragmentation

                        (mining/agriculture), fragmentation by highways/urbanization (NatureServe

                        2004)

              3U     Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique microhabitats

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Black Mountain Salamander                                                                Desmognathus welteri

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                 N                 G4               S4                   G4                        S4

    G-Trend        Unknown

    G-Trend        Nearly endemic to eastern Kentucky, extending into adjacent portions of West

    Comment      Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee (Conant and Collins 1991).  Historically

                          known from 29 counties in eastern Kentucky, primarily in the Cumberland,

                          Kentucky, and Licking River drainages; rare and local in the Little Sandy and

                          Big Sandy systems and apparently ranges no further north than Rowan, Elliott,

                          Floyd, and Pike counties (J.R. MacGregor Herpetology Maps 2004).

    S-Trend         Decreasing

    S-Trend         The Black Mountain salamander has been documented since 1984 in at least 20

    Comment      counties in eastern Kentucky.  Numbers are declining at numerous sites in

                          northeastern Kentucky in the Morehead/Laurel Creek Gorge area in Rowan and

                          Elliott counties and possibly in the Big South Fork area (McCreary County) as

                          well.  However, the species is regularly encountered in suitable habitat in Red

                          River Gorge and nearby, in the Cave Hollow area (Lee County), and on Black

                          Mountain (Harlan County).  This species is not tracked by Kentucky State

                          Nature Preserves Commission.

    Habitat /        The Black Mountain salamander is more of a habitat specialist than most

    Life History  Kentucky Desmognathus; it is largely a resident of clear high-gradient mountain

                          streams and is most common in rocky headwater creeks in cool moist forested

                          ravines on Black Mountain and other high peaks in the Cumberlands. 

                          Elsewhere in eastern Kentucky the Black Mountain salamander is primarily

                          found in shaded spring-fed streams.  This species is intolerant of silt; it is often

                          associated with small waterfalls and wet entrances to caves and abandoned coal

                          mines.

    Key               Habitat condition is generally GOOD in the Cumberland Mountains, but only

    Habitat          FAIR elsewhere in eastern Kentucky; populations seem to be declining in the

                          northeast.  The Daniel Boone National Forest cliffline management policy and

                          buffer strips to maintain forest cover along stream corridors will help maintain

                          habitat for populations that inhabit public lands in the Cliff Section of the

                          Cumberland Plateau. 

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Powell County

                          2. Lee County

                          3. Harlan County - Black Mountain

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Black Mountain Salamander                                                                Desmognathus welteri

                          4. Letcher County

    Guilds           Cumberland highland forest, running water, upland forest.

  Cumberland Plateau Salamander                                                              Plethodon kentucki

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                 N                 G4               S4                   G4                        S4

    G-Trend        Decreasing

    G-Trend        Nearly endemic to eastern Kentucky, extending into adjacent portions of West

    Comment      Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee (Conant and Collins 1991).  The Cumberland

                          Plateau salamander has been found in 31 counties and occurs nearly throughout

                          eastern Kentucky (J.R. MacGregor Herpetology Maps 2004).

    S-Trend         Decreasing

    S-Trend         Population trends seem to be variable in Kentucky.  This salamander appears to

    Comment      be doing well at several sites in southeastern Kentucky including Garrett

                          (Floyd County), Black Mountain (Harlan County), Pine Mountain above

                          Bledsoe (Harlan County), Limestone Cave (Whitley County), Pine Mountain

                          Wildlife Management Area (Letcher County), and Cumberland Gap National

                          Historical Park (Bell County) (all data from J.R. MacGregor 2000-2004 except

                          Cumberland Gap information from Third Rock 2003).  In some sections of

                          northeastern Kentucky, however, it has all but disappeared from many

                          locations for no apparent reason (J.R. MacGregor 2000-2004 data for Carter,

                          Elliott, and Rowan Co).  The Cumberland Plateau salamander has also declined

                          rather dramatically at several locations near Huntington, West Virginia where it

                          was formerly abundant (R. Highton, pers. comm. 2002).  Recent (1984-2004)

                          records exist for 24 Kentucky counties (J.R. MacGregor data).  This species is

                          not tracked by Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

    Habitat /        The Cumberland Plateau salamander is completely terrestrial.  Adults and

    Life History  juveniles live in wooded areas; females deposit small clusters of eggs in summer-

                          fall in underground retreats.  As with other species of Plethodon, all larval

                          development takes place within the egg and thus there is no free-living aquatic

                          larval stage.  Populations are highest on ridges and steep slopes with mature

                          forest cover, numerous shaded rock outcrops, abundant leaf litter and/or woody

                           debris on the surface, and (often) rocky or gravelly soils (J.R. MacGregor). 

                          This species is somewhat of a habitat specialist; it seems dependent to a large

                          degree upon rock crevices; many good populations occur in/along/near shaded

                          clifflines, outcrops, caves, rock shelters, and the entrances of abandoned coal

                          mines.  It also occurs in and under decaying logs, under loose bark on dead trees,

                           within split trees/logs, in old sawdust piles, in cavities and crevices in living

                          trees, and in burrows on steep hillsides.

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Cumberland Plateau Salamander                                                              Plethodon kentucki

    Key               Habitat condition is generally GOOD in many areas in southeastern Kentucky,

    Habitat          but perhaps only FAIR in an overall view if one considers the unexplained

                          population declines that have taken place in some areas.  Habitat condition is

                          generally good on most public lands; Daniel Boone National Forest cliffline and

                          cave management policies will probably ensure that forest cover is maintained

                          in some of the best habitat in the Cliff Section and Rugged Eastern Area of the

                          Cumberland Plateau.

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Harlan County - Black Mountain

                          2. Harlan County - Pine Mountain

                          3. Harlan County - Daniel Boone National Forest

                          4. Floyd County

                          5. Whitley County - Pine Mountain

                          6. Letcher County

    Guilds           caves, rock shelters, and clifflines, Cumberland highland forest, upland forest.

  Eastern Hellbender                                            Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                  S               G3G4            S3                   G3                        S3

                                                                   T3T4

    G-Trend        Decreasing

    G-Trend        Primarily throughout most of the Ohio River drainage (including Tennessee and

    Comment      Cumberland systems) from southern New York to northern Alabama and

                          southern Illinois; isolated populations in Missouri and Arkansas (Conant and

                          Collins 1991).  Recorded from about 60 counties statewide; occurs in all major

                          river systems in Kentucky except for those located to the west of the

                          Tennessee River (Kentucky Herpetology Database 2004, Kentucky State

                          Nature Preserves Commission Database 2004, J.R. MacGregor Herpetology

                          Maps 2004).

    S-Trend         Decreasing

    S-Trend         Apparently declining rangewide; Kentucky status is unknown but the

    Comment      hellbender is probably declining in at least some areas.  Recent (1984-2004)

                          records are available from at least 25 counties in the Licking, Kentucky/Red,

                          Cumberland, and Green/Barren River drainages; no comprehensive field surveys

                           have been conducted for hellbenders in Kentucky.

    Habitat /        Occurs in rivers and large streams; known from the major river systems in

    Life History  Kentucky including the Ohio, Licking, Kentucky, Green, Barren, Cumberland. 

                          No systematic surveys have been done here.  Apparently requires reasonably

                          good water quality; much literature points to the idea that hellbenders do best in

                           cool, high quality streams with available large flat rocks or rock ledges available

                          to serve as diurnal retreats.

    Key               Habitat condition is generally FAIR to POOR. 

    Habitat           

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Rowan County

                          2. Pulaski County

                          3. Allen County

    Guilds           running water.

  Eastern Hellbender                                            Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis

  Conservation Issues

         Aquatic habitat degradation

              2B      Gravel/sand removal or quarrying (e.g., mineral excavation).  Gravel

                        dredging.

              2C     Construction/Operation of impoundments (migration barrier). 

                        Construction of dams/reservoirs.

              2D     Woody debris removal

              2F      Riparian zone removal (Agriculture/development).  Loss/conversion of

                        riparian forest and channelization/riparian wetland loss.

         Biological/ consumptive uses

              5J       Incidental mortality due to commercial fishing/musseling (mortality and

                        overharvest).  Fishing/troutlines/limb lines

         Miscellaneous Mortality Factors

              6G     Stochastic events (droughts, unusual weather, pine beetle damage, flooding

                        etc.).  Unexplained population declines.

         Point and non-point source pollution

              4B      Waste water discharge (e.g., sewage treatment).  Degradation or pollution of

                         streams/rivers.

              4C     Toxic chemical spills

              4K     Industrial waste discharge/runoff.  Degradation or pollution of

         Siltation and increased turbidity

              1A     Coal mining

              1B      Agriculture.  Stream sedimentation also from mining/coal washing.

              1C     Road construction

              1D     Urbanization/Development  General Construction

         Terrestrial habitat degradation

              3K     Surface mining.  Surface mining/mountaintop removal.

              3R      Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Four-toed Salamander                                                                      Hemidactylium scutatum

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                 N                 G5               S4                   G5                        S4

    G-Trend        Unknown

    G-Trend        Widespread in forested sections of the eastern U.S. from southern Canada to

    Comment      Florida, Alabama, Mississipii, Louisiana , Arkansas, and Oklahoma; the range is

                           largely discontinuous and many populations are isolated (Conant and Collins

                          1991).  Recorded from 44 Kentucky counties; most commonly found in eastern

                          Kentucky but also known from Jefferson-Bullitt (Caperton Swamp and

                          Bernheim Forest), Edmonson-Hart (Mammoth Cave area), Caldwell-Christian

                          (Dripping Springs Escarpment and Dawson Springs Seep Swamp), and

                          Calloway (Blood River bottoms) counties (J.R. MacGregor Herpetology Maps

                          2004).

    S-Trend         Stable

    S-Trend         Four-toed salamander populations seem to be more or less stable here in

    Comment      Kentucky; new locations are still being discovered at a regular rate and post-

                          1984 records exist for at least 35 counties.  The Jefferson County colony at

                          Caperton Swamp seems to have disappeared during the construction of I-71

                          (Burt L. Monroe, Jr., now deceased, pers. comm. to J.R. MacGregor ca 1972),

                          and the colony in the Blood River area of Calloway County has never been

                          relocated since its original discovery. This species is not tracked by Kentucky

                          State Nature Preserves Commission.

    Habitat /        Adult four-toed salamanders live primarily in upland forests; good populations

    Life History  also occur in wet woodlands along floodplains and terraces border some large

                          streams and rivers.  Egg clusters are laid in late winter and early spring and are

                          usually attended by females; nests are located near the edges of ponds,

                          woodland pools, seeps, or sluggish boggy headwater streams in which the larval

                           development takes place after hatching.  Most nests are hidden in mosses, but

                          some are also found in clumps of grasses or sedges, in and under chunks of

                          decaying wood, or in leaf litter.  Most Kentucky sites are in areas with acid

                          soils.  Natural vernal ponds on broad flat sandstone ridges and wet areas located

                           along old mine benches seem especially favored as nesting areas.

    Key               Habitat condition is generally GOOD overall.

    Habitat         

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Adair County

                          2. Powell County

                          3. Menifee County

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Four-toed Salamander                                                                      Hemidactylium scutatum

    Guilds           Emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands, running water, standing water, upland

                           forest.

  Gray Treefrog                                                                                                    Hyla versicolor

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                  S                 G5            S2S3                 G5                        S2

    G-Trend        Stable

    G-Trend        The eastern gray treefrog and its close relative (Cope’s gray treefrog) form a

    Comment      species complex that is widespread in eastern North America (Conant and

                          Collins 1991).  Although the diploid species (Hyla chrysoscelis) can be found

                          throughout the state, the range of the tetraploid species (Hyla versicolor) barely

                           extends into Kentucky from the north.  Breeding colonies are known from 3

                          counties in the Fort Knox area and 2 counties in the Ashland area in extreme

                          northeastern Kentucky (Kentucky State Nature Preserve Commission 2004,

                          J.R. MacGregor Herpetology Maps 2004).

    S-Trend         Stable

    S-Trend         Eastern gray treefrog populations appear to be stable both rangewide and in

    Comment      Kentucky.  Although the diploid Cope’s gray treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis)

                          occurs throughout the state, Hyla versicolor was not discovered in the Fort

                          Knox area until the mid-1980’s and the Ashland population was only

                          discovered in 2000.  No range expansions or contractions have been noted in

                          either population; this species and Cope’s gray treefrog occur together and

                          often use the same breeding ponds at the same time of the year.

    Habitat /        Both species of gray treefrogs are more or less arboreal but can persist in

    Life History  weedfields, shrubby areas, and thickets as well as along tree-lined fencerows

                          and in forests.  Breeding sites include permanent and seasonal ponds (and tire

                          ruts) in either forested or open habitats.

    Key               Habitat condition is apparently GOOD; this species is nearly ubiquitous in

    Habitat          Kentucky within its limited range.

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Meade County

                          2. Hardin County

                          3. Breckinridge-Hardin-Meade counties

    Guilds           Emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands, standing water, upland forest.

  Gray Treefrog                                                                                                    Hyla versicolor

  Conservation Issues

         Biological/ consumptive uses

              5B      Predation from native species.  introduction of predatory fish into breeding

                        ponds (Phillips et al. 1999).

              5F      Low population densities

              5H     Isolated populations (low gene flow)

              5K     Lack of suitable habitat for spawning, nesting, or breeding.  Habitat loss

                        (agriculture - breeding sites filled/grades).

         Terrestrial habitat degradation

              3A     Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual reuse of fields, etc).  Habitat

                        loss (agriculture - breeding sites filled/grades).

              3F      Urban/residential development.  Habitat loss due to urban

                        expansion/development also urban expansion into limited areas.

              3P      Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, acid rain). 

                        Contamination by pesticides/herbicides.

              3R      Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation.  Wetland fragmentation

                        (mining/agriculture).

              3U     Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique microhabitats

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Green Salamander                                                                                            Aneides aeneus

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                 N              G3G4            S4                   G3                        S4

    G-Trend        Decreasing

    G-Trend        Appalachian Mountains from extreme southwestern Pennsylvania to north-

    Comment      central Alabama and extreme northeastern Mississippi; isolated population in

                          Blue Ridge Mountains (Conant and Collins 1991).  Widely distributed in

                          eastern Kentucky (37 counties) where populations are nearly continuous along

                          sandstone clifflines in the Cliff Section of the Cumberland Plateau; a small

                          outlier in Casey County and another much further to the west near the Ohio

                          River in Breckinridge County that matches up with otherwise-isolated sites in

                          southern Indiana (J.R. MacGregor Herpetology Maps 2004).

    S-Trend         Stable

    S-Trend         Probably stable; documented in 30 counties since 1984 and probably still

    Comment      occurs in all historic counties in Kentucky.  This species is not tracked by

                          Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

    Habitat /        Generally a habitat specialist dependent upon humid rock crevices; most

    Life History  populations occur along and near shaded sandstone cliffs and outcrops

                          (including sandstone caves and rock shelters).  Also found in limestone cliffs

                          and shale cliffs (including coal mine entrances) to a limited degree; sometimes

                          found in limestone caves if sandstone occurs nearby.  Also occurs in decaying

                          logs, under loose bark on dead trees, within split trees/logs, in old sawdust

                          piles, and in cavities and crevices in living trees.

    Key               Habitat condition is generally GOOD.  Generally stable; the Daniel Boone

    Habitat          National Forest cliffline management policy will ensure that forest cover is

                          maintained on public lands in the Cliff Section of the Cumberland Plateau. 

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Powell County

                          2. Breckinridge County

                          3. Whitley County

    Guilds           caves, rock shelters, and clifflines, Cumberland highland forest, upland forest.

  Green Salamander                                                                                            Aneides aeneus

  Conservation Issues

         Miscellaneous Mortality Factors

              6G     Stochastic events (droughts, unusual weather, pine beetle damage, flooding

                        etc.).  Unexplained population declines.

         Terrestrial habitat degradation

              3K     Surface mining.  Surface mining/mountaintop removal.

              3M     Timber harvest.  Logging (without cliffline buffers).

              3R      Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation

              3U     Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique microhabitats

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Green Treefrog                                                                                                      Hyla cinerea

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                  S                 G5               S3                   G5                        S3

    G-Trend        Increasing

    G-Trend        The green treefrog is widespread in southeastern U.S.; its range extends

    Comment      northward along the Mississippi and lower Ohio River lowlands into western

                          Kentucky (Conant and Collins 1991).  Green treefrog populations are known

                          from about 12-13 Kentucky counties.  In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s it

                          spread from the Mississippi River area (Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle, and Ballard

                          Co) throughout the Jackson Purchase; in recent years the range has expanded

                          further and the species now occurs along the shorelines of Kentucky and

                          Barkley Lakes as well as eastward along the Ohio River at least into

                          Breckinridge County (J.R. MacGregor 2004, Kentucky State Nature Preserve

                          Commission 2004, Kentucky Herpetology Database 2004).

    S-Trend         Increasing

    S-Trend         Green treefrog populations are increasing both in Kentucky and elsewhere,

    Comment      especially in the northern portion of the range.  In Kentucky, the green treefrog

                          was known in the 1970’s only from a few isolated colonies in counties

                          bordering the Mississippi River.  Since that time, the range has expanded

                          throughout the Jackson Purchase area and Land Between The Lakes National

                          Recreation Area and eastward along the Ohio River into Breckinridge County. 

                          Recent records (1984-2004) exist for all counties that are known to harbor green

                           treefrogs in Kentucky (J.R. MacGregor data, Kentucky State Nature Preserve

                          Commission 2004).

    Habitat /        Green treefrogs occur in and near cypress swamps and other wetland habitats

    Life History  with abundant cover in the form of emergent herbaceous vegetation, and seem to

                           prefer areas that are more or less open.  They may also require adjacent

                          bottomland forests for hibernation.  Calling males often perch on low vegetation

                           near standing water; tadpoles develop in warm shallow waters.

    Key               Habitat condition overall is GOOD.  The amount of suitable habitat for the

    Habitat          green treefrog appears to be stable to increasing in Kentucky.

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Fulton County

                          2. Hickman County

                          3. Ballard County

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Green Treefrog                                                                                                      Hyla cinerea

    Guilds           Emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands, forested wetland.

  Mole Salamander                                                                                Ambystoma talpoideum

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                 N                 G5               S3                   G5                        S3

    G-Trend        Stable

    G-Trend        Widespread in Piedmont and Coastal Plain of southeastern U.S.; scattered in

    Comment      upland areas northward into Illinois, Kentucky, and Virginia (Conant and

                          Collins 1991).  Recently discovered in southwestern IN (M. Lodato, pers.

                          comm. 2004).  Known from about 15 Kentucky counties; occurs mostly in the

                          Jackson Purchase, Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, and in

                          the western Mississippian Plateau.  Also an old University of Kentucky

                          museum specimen exists from Bagget’s Pond in McLean County (J.R.

                          MacGregor Herpetology Maps 2004).  Mole salamanders were introduced into

                          ponds on the Dourson Farm in Powell County and continue to persist there in

                          low numbers (D. Dourson, pers. comm.).  More field survey work is needed for

                           the mole salamander, particularly in the Western Coal Field and western

                          Mississippian Plateau where road cruising on rainy evenings may yield

                          additional data.

    S-Trend         Unknown

    S-Trend         Mole salamander populations that occur in bottomland hardwood forests in the

    Comment      Jackson Purchase are probably declining due to continuing habitat loss as a

                          result of wetland conversion and/or degradation.  Populations that breed in

                          small ponds in upland woods are likely faring better except in areas where

                          development is taking place (J.R. MacGregor data).  This species has been

                          recorded since 1984 in 14 of 15 historic counties (exception: McLean County in

                           the Western Coal Field).  The mole salamander is no longer tracked by

                          Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.

    Habitat /        Adults are fossorial; some may construct their own burrows while others move

    Life History  into small mammal tunnels, old root channels, and similar underground retreats;

                          most populations are associated with native forest but at least one colony near

                          Lamasco is located within a loblolly pine plantation.  Breeding takes place in a

                          variety of aquatic situations including vernal pools, ponds, ditches, shallow

                          swamps, and low spots in swampy woodlands; most known breeding sites in

                          Kentucky are located within or close to forested areas.  Some populations that

                          breed in permanent ponds here are paedomorphic but mass transformations

                          may occur when water levels drop during prolonged dry periods (J.R.

                          MacGregor data).  The scattered series of isolated rainfall-driven forested

                          wetlands located in shallow sinkholes on the karst plain in southern Logan,

                          Todd, Christian, and eastern Trigg counties form an interesting and important

                          population center for the mole salamander in Kentucky.

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Mole Salamander                                                                                Ambystoma talpoideum

    Key               Habitat condition is generally FAIR in the Jackson Purchase.

    Habitat         

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Logan County

                          2. Fulton County

                          3. Lyon County

    Guilds           Emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands, forested wetland, standing water,

                          upland forest.

  Northern Crawfish Frog                                                                     Rana areolata circulosa

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                  S               G4T4             S3                   G4                        S3

    G-Trend        Decreasing

    G-Trend        The northern crawfish frog is discontinuously distributed in prairie regions and

    Comment      along the prairie-forest interface in the lower midwest (Conant and Collins

                          1991, Minton 2001).  The Kentucky distribution includes 10 counties in the

                          Jackson Purchase and Western Coal Field; extant populations occur in

                          Livingston County and through much of the Jackson Purchase (Kentucky State

                          Nature Preserve Commission 2004; J.R. MacGregor Herpetology Maps 2004).

    S-Trend         Decreasing

    S-Trend         This frog is not doing well rangewide.  The crawfish frog (Rana areolata) as a

    Comment      species is listed as "near threatened" by the Global Amphibian Assessment as

                          of November 29, 2004.  Minton (2001) noted that R. a. circulosa was once

                          plentiful in southwestern Indiana in the 1970’s but has since declined to the

                          point where it is now listed as "Endangered" by IN.  Similar trends have been

                          reported in other parts of the range.  The northern crawfish frog seems to be

                          doing well in some portions of its range in Kentucky (i.e., at West Kentucky

                          Wildlife Management Area in McCracken County) but may be disappearing

                          elsewhere.  Recent (1984-2004) records exist from Livingston County (J.R.

                          MacGregor and BPB data) and from 6 counties in the Jackson Purchase region

                          (Hendricks 1991; Hendricks pers. comm.) but none have been verified in

                          Hickman County or the Western Coal Field in the past 20 years.  These frogs

                          are explosive breeders and can be easily located only during the short but rather

                          unpredictable early breeding season; during some years the proper weather

                          conditions never come about and no breeding takes place.  Much additional

                          survey work is warranted.

    Habitat /        Adults characteristically spend most of their time underground in crayfish

    Life History  burrows, sometimes emerging at night to feed.  Most Kentucky colonies are

                          associated with prairie soils (W. D. Hendricks, pers. comm.) and occur

                          primarily in pastures and other grassland habitats.  Breeding ponds can be either

                           seasonal or permanent and are primarily located in agricultural landscapes.  Our

                           general lack of knowledge concerning the habitat requirements of adult northern

                           crawfish frogs outside the breeding season warrants the gathering of additional

                          data by the use of radiotelemetry on lands managed by state and/or federal

                          agencies (i.e. West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area or Clarks River

                          National Wildlife Refuge).

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Northern Crawfish Frog                                                                     Rana areolata circulosa

    Key               Habitat condition overall is FAIR. 

    Habitat         

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. McCracken County

                          2. Marshall County

                          3. Livingston County

    Guilds           grassland/agricultural, standing water.

  Northern Leopard Frog                                                                                        Rana pipiens

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                  S                 G5               S3                   G5                        S3

    G-Trend        Decreasing

    G-Trend        The northern leopard frog is a widely distributed species in the northern,

    Comment      midwestern, and northeastern U.S.  The range extends southward through the

                          Bluegrass Region of Kentucky (Conant and Collins 1991).  It is known

                          historically from at least 22 Kentucky counties extending westward from

                          Mason County to Carroll County along the Ohio River and southward into

                          Mercer, Jessamine, and Madison counties (Kentucky State Nature Preserve

                          Commission 2004, J.R. MacGregor Herpetology Maps 2004).

    S-Trend         Decreasing

    S-Trend         Northern leopard frog populations have declined dramatically throughout large

    Comment      sections of the range, but the species does seem to be holding its own at least in

                          some areas.  The available data indicates that northern leopard frogs are

                          declining here and have become scarce or extirpated in many Bluegrass counties

                          in Kentucky.  Although new sites are being found with some degree of

                          regularity, most of these have not been monitored long enough to generate any

                          long-term data.  Recent records (1984-2004) exist for northern leopard frogs in

                          only 10 Kentucky counties; all others (12 counties) are considered historical. 

                          The northern leopard frog was a common species in rural Jessamine County

                          through most of the 1970’s but disappeared abruptly in 1980 (J.R. MacGregor

                          data); it was also common during the 1960’s in Mason County, when a number

                          of specimens were collected and deposited at the University of Kentucky, but

                          many years have passed since a live individual has been seen there as well.

    Habitat /        Adult northern leopard frogs are most often found in low meadows, grassy

    Life History  fields, and pastures bordering ponds, swampy areas, and sluggish streams.  At

                          least some tree cover is usually present nearby, but the frogs seem to do most

                          of their insect hunting in the open areas.  Typical breeding sites are seasonal or

                          permanent ponds located in pastures or old fields; submerged and emergent

                          vegetation are usually present in these ponds.  Swamps and oxbows serve as

                          excellent breeding habitat but these are scarce in the highly modified landscapes

                          of the Bluegrass.  On the Kentucky River Wildlife Management Area in Owen

                          and Henry counties, northern leopard frogs have been documented in 2003 and

                          2004 as calling from several areas of recent origin (2 moist soil units and a

                          shallow flooded field behind a beaver dam).  Tadpoles were present in the moist

                           soil units later in the season but not at the beaver dam where fish predation is

                          likely posing a problem.

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Northern Leopard Frog                                                                                        Rana pipiens

    Key               Habitat condition overall is UNKNOWN.  However, many ponds that appear

    Habitat          suitable for use as breeding sites are unoccupied, and there are often long

                          distances between known breeding colonies. 

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Scott County

                          2. Franklin County

                          3. Owen and Henry counties

                          4. Madison County

    Guilds           Emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands, grassland/agricultural, standing water.

  Redback Salamander                                                                                 Plethodon cinereus

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                  S                 G5               S3                   G5                        S3

    G-Trend        Unknown

    G-Trend        Widespread throughout northeastern U.S. and adjacent Canada, barely extending

    Comment      into northern Kentucky (Conant and Collins 1991).  The northern redback

                          salamander is known only from a limited area of northern Kentucky in portions

                          of Boone, Kenton, and Owen counties; there is also a single specimen from

                          Fleming County in the University of Louisville collection (Kentucky

                          Herpetology Database 2004, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission

                          Database 2004, J.R. MacGregor Herpetology Maps 2004).

    S-Trend         Decreasing

    S-Trend         Northern redback salamanders tend to be quite abundant in good habitat. 

    Comment      Populations appear to be doing well along Eagle Creek in Owen County and at a

                           few recently visited sites in Boone and Kenton counties (J.R. MacGregor field

                          data 2000-2004), but no organized monitoring has been done to check on the

                          condition of most populations.  Urban and industrial development continues to

                          impact potential habitat at a rapid rate in northern Kentucky, and this species is

                           almost certainly on the decline in that region of the state.  Efforts to locate

                          additional specimens in Fleming County have thus far been unsuccessful (J.R.

                          MacGregor data).

    Habitat /        The northern redback salamander is completely terrestrial.  Adults and juveniles

    Life History  live in wooded areas; females deposit small clusters of eggs in early summer in

                          underground retreats or within decaying stumps and logs.  Larval development

                          takes place within the egg and thus there is no free-living aquatic larval stage. 

                          Populations are highest on ridges and steep slopes with mature forest cover,

                          abundant leaf litter and/or woody debris on the surface, and (often) rocky or

                          gravelly soils (J.R. MacGregor).  These salamanders appear to be able to persist

                           in low numbers in developed areas as long as some forest cover, adequate

                          access to underground winter/dry weather retreats, and leaf litter or other

                          surface debris remain available.

    Key               Habitat condition at the present time is only FAIR, and the prognosis for the

    Habitat          foreseeable future is generally POOR.

                          Following Key Habitats (good):

                          1. Owen County

                          2. Boone County

                          3. Boone County

  CLASS       AMPHIBIA

  Redback Salamander                                                                                 Plethodon cinereus

    Guilds           upland forest.

  Southern Leopard Frog                                                                            Rana sphenocephala

                        Federal      Heritage      GRank        SRank       GRank                SRank

                        Status         Status                                                 (Simplified)         (Simplified)

                             N                 N                 G5               S5                   G5                        S5

    G-Trend        Stable

    G-Trend        The southern leopard frog is widely distributed in the southeastern U.S.

    Comment      (Conant and Collins 1991).  Southern leopard frogs are known from about 70

                          counties extending throughout all of  southern and western Kentucky (to the

                          south and west of the Bluegrass) with a northeastern extension through the

                          eastern Knobs into Carter, Lewis, and Greenup counties; the species is

                          generally absent from the rugged terrain of eastern Kentucky and from the