Fourche Mountain Salamander
VU

Fourche Mountain Salamander

Plethodon fourchensis

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourche_Mountain_salamander

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Fourche Mountain Salamander faces significant threats from habitat degradation due to logging activities and forest fragmentation in the Ouachita Mountains. Climate change poses an additional risk through altered precipitation patterns and temperature increases that could dry out the moist microhabitats essential for this species' survival. The salamander's extremely limited range, restricted to a small area in Arkansas, makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and human disturbances.

Threat summary

Habitat

This salamander inhabits moist deciduous and mixed forests on north-facing slopes and ravines in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. It requires cool, humid microhabitats under rocks, logs, and leaf litter where it can maintain the moisture levels essential for its skin-based respiration.

Other threatened species in Plethodontidae

Red-legged SalamanderVU

Red-legged Salamander

Plethodon shermani

Unknown
Tennessee Cave SalamanderVU

Tennessee Cave Salamander

Gyrinophilus palleucus

Unknown
Bolitoglossa lozanoiVU

Bolitoglossa lozanoi

Unknown
Pigeon Mountain SalamanderVU

Pigeon Mountain Salamander

Plethodon petraeus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Fourche Mountain Salamander classified as Vulnerable?
Fourche Mountain Salamander is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Fourche Mountain Salamander faces significant threats from habitat degradation due to logging activities and forest fragmentation in the Ouachita Mountains. Climate change poses an additional risk through altered precipitation patterns and temperature increases that could dry out the moist microhabitats essential for this species' survival. The salamander's extremely limited range, restricted to a small area in Arkansas, makes it particularly vulnerable to localized environmental changes and human disturbances.
Where does Fourche Mountain Salamander live?
Fourche Mountain Salamander occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Fourche Mountain Salamander?
The main threats to Fourche Mountain Salamander are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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