Pre-listing Science Support in the Northeast Active

Endangered Species Act listing decisions involve compilation of the species life history and ecology, current and possible future threats, and prediction of future extinction risk given the current available information. Unfortunately, many amphibian and reptile species lack information on the current occupied range, threats to the species or its habitat, and/or models that can predict the future condition of the species given the uncertainty of available information. Even after listing, uncertainties persist about the species status, potential changes in populations, and the level of various threats to the species.

Sources/Usage: Public Domain.

Pre-listing assessments
We have worked in collaboration with USFWS to update species status, provide information on current and future threats, and estimate the future species status of multiple species in the northeast proposed for listing. We conducted field surveys for the WV spring salamander (Gyrinophilus subterraneus) and worked with collaborators to confirm the status of the salamander as a species relative to the widespread, co-occurring spring salamander. In addition, we developed a population projection model for the northern red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris), which is proposed for listing and has not been studied in the majority of its range. . We are currently working on assembling information for the evaluation of the streamside salamander (Ambytoma barbouri) as part of the species status assessment in progress.

Recovery of listed species
We are also involved in multiple collaborative efforts to assist recovery of listed species by helping collect or analyze field data, model species futures, or provide decision support to local managers on the species under their jurisdiction. Two listed terrestrial salamanders, the Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon shenandoah) and the Cheat Mountain salamander (Plethodon nettingi), currently have limited distributions within the Appalachians and are federally listed as endangered and threatened, respectively. We assist with monitoring, data analysis, and facilitate decisions for management to ensure these species persistence. We are also working closely with US Forest Service and USFWS to ensure a conservation agreement for the Cow Knob salamander (Plethodon punctatus), a formal agreement established decades ago to preclude the need for federal listing of the species, is meeting the goals outlined by species experts to prevent declines.

We continue to be in contact with partners to support listing decisions or recovery of other amphibian or reptile species in the Northeast as needed if information needs align with the skills/knowledge present within our research team.