Catesbeiana : bulletin of the Virginia Herpetological Society

35 Pages·2003·2.6 MB·English

by  Virginia Herpetological Society

ISSN 0892-0761
Volume 23 2003 Number 1
BULLETIN INFORMATION
Catesbeiana is published twice a year by the Virginia Herpetological
Society. Membership is open to all individuals interested in the study of
amphibians and reptiles and includes a subscription to Catesbeiana, two
newsletters, and admission to all meetings. Annual dues for regular membership
are $15.00 (see application form on last page for other membership categories).
Payments received after September 1 of any given year will apply to membership
for the following calendar year. Dues are payable to: Dr. Paul Sattler, VHS
Secretary/Treasurer, Department of Biology, Liberty University, 1971 University
Blvd., Lynchburg, VA 24502.
HERPETOLOGICAL ARTWORK
Herpetological artwork is welcomed for publication in Catesbeiana. If the
artwork has been published elsewhere, we will need to obtain copyright before it
can be used in an issue. We need drawings and encourage members to send us
anything appropriate, especially their own work.
EDITORIAL POLICY
The principal function of Catesbeiana is to publish observations and
original research about Virginia herpetology. Rarely will articles be reprinted in
Catesbeiana after they have been published elsewhere. All correspondence
relative to the suitability of manuscripts or other editorial considerations should be
directed to Dr. Steven M. Roble, Editor, Catesbeiana, Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, 217 Governor Street,
Richmond, VA 23219.
Major Papers
Manuscripts being submitted for publication should be typewritten (double
spaced) on good quality SVj by 11 inch paper, with adequate margins. Consult the
style of articles in this issue for additional information, including the appropriate
format for literature citations. The metric system should be used for reporting all
types of measurement data. Computer diskettes (Word or WordPerfect format) are
desired for longer papers. Submissions concerning the herpetofauna of selected
areas, such as a state park or county, should be prepared in article rather than field
note format. Articles will be refereed by the editor and at least one other qualified
reviewer. All changes must be approved by the author before publication;
therefore, manuscripts must be received by the editor before the first of March and
September to be considered for publication in the spring or fall issue, respectively,
of Catesbeiana. Reprints of articles are not available to authors; however, authors
may reprint articles (hemselves to meet professional needs.
(Editorial policy continued on inside back cover)
CATESBEIANA
Bulletin of the Virginia Herpetological Society
Volume 23_Spring 2003_No. 1
Contents
Biological Diversity of Reptiles and Amphibians
in Big Survey Wildlife Management Area
Jason Daniel Gibson and John White.3
Field Notes. 14
Errata.24
President's Comer.25
Treasurer's Report.26
Minutes of the Fall 2002 VHS Meeting.27
Spring 2003 Meeting Notice.30
Next Meeting
May 30, 2003
Greensville County.Virginia
See page 30 for details
I
CATES B El AN A 2003, 23(1)
Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Drawing by Jason Gibson
2
Biological Diversity of Reptiles and Amphibians
in Big Survey Wildlife Management Area
Jason Daniel Gibson
Division of Arts and Sciences
Danville Community College
Danville Virginia 24541
John White
2815 Van Buren Street
Arlington, Virginia 22213-1517
Introduction
Big Survey Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is one of Virginia’s
newest management areas owned and operated by the Virginia
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF). It was officially
dedicated on 18 October 2001. This 3,359 ha (8,300 acre) tract of land is
located in Wythe County 2 km south of the town of Wytheville and is
bordered to the north by Interstate 81. It is comprised of two tracts of
land, which include portions of Sand Mountain, Lick Mountain, Stuart
Mountain, and Swecker Mountain. Crystal Springs Watershed, a 749 ha
(1,852 acre) parcel of land owned by the town of Wytheville, is located in
the center of the WMA. Big Survey WMA is in the Ridge and Valley
physiographic province and is composed mostly of sandstone and
quartzite, which form well-drained, dry soils. Elevation reaches 1,134 m
(3,720 ft) on Sand Mountain. Five small streams drain the property to the
New River. A diversity of aquatic habitats exists on this property
including a high elevation vernal pool, a man-made pond, headwaters of
five streams, springs, and steep ravines. There are many terrestrial
habitats as well including upland oak-hickory forest, open land with many
drought resistant native grasses, rhododendron heaths, and sandstone
outcrops.
Limited surveys have been conducted in this area by the VDGIF and the
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (Division of Natural
Heritage)(S. M. Roble, pers. comm.). No comprehensive reptile and
amphibian surveys have been conducted on this property. The Virginia
Herpetological Society (VHS) annually conducts a survey in some part of
Catesbeiana 2003, 23(1): 3-13 3
CATESBEIANA 2003, 23(1)
Virginia. This site was chosen because of its diversity of habitats, the
virtual lack of previous surveys, and its potential to yield new county
records. Below is a report of the 2002 spring survey.
Study Sites
Personnel from VDGIF selected five sites and one man-made trout pond
for members of the VHS to survey. A listing and description of each site
follows.
Site A: Dungeon Branch (starting at Trivett property)
The portion of Dungeon Branch surveyed consists of a small stream
(<1 meter wide and 1 m deep). A gentle topographic slope creates rapidly
flowing water interrupted at times by deeper slower moving pools. One
portion of the stream consists of a pool approximately 30 m wide. This
site contains many varied aquatic habitats.
Site B: Stuart Mountain
The Stuart Mountain site has a typical deciduous complement with a fair
amount of hemlock interspersed throughout. One side of this mountain
consists of a sloping valley bisected by a meandering stream; the other
side of the mountain is steep and rugged with a faster flowing stream.
Many mosses and ferns are found in the moister areas of this site.
Site C: Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods survey site consists of a ridge of large limestone
outcrops and boulders bisected by a powerline right-of-way. Nearby are a
few streams with a wet woodland floor.
Site D; Big Survey Trout Pond
A man-made pond located on the property of Big Walker Game and Fish
Club.
Site E: Venrick Run
This site consists of Venrick Run, rhododendron riparian heath, a
dammed pool, and a powerline right-of-way paralleling portions of the
stream.
4
Herps of Big Survey WMA
Site F: Lick Mountain SE side, Headwaters of Dungeon Branch
Two distinct habitats are found at this site. One is a high elevation
(914 m; 3,000 ft) vernal pool that was completely full (1 m deep) and
surrounded by an oak-hickory forest. The second site consisted of Mill
Creek and the headwaters of Dungeon Branch. Both of these streams
flow through a mature oak-hickory forest. Many decayed logs, large
chunks of bark, and rock outcrops were found at this site.
Materials and Methods
Sampling was conducted on 18-19 May 2002. Four teams of 4-8 people
sampled sites selected by Betsy Stinson, Bill Bassinger, and Mike Mabe
(VDGIF personnel). Sites were selected to cover a wide range of habitats
and land area within the WMA. Terrestrial animals were sampled by
overturning rocks, cobble, logs, leaf litter, and bark. Male anurans w'ere
detected by listening for vocalizations. Aquatic animals were found by
overturning rocks in streams and by dipnetting. Visual identifications
were made in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Each specimen found
was recorded, photographed (if needed), observed for unusual behavior,
and inspected for mutations. Microhabitat was documented for each
encounter. Larval specimens were taken to the lab and reared if
identification was not possible in the field.
Results
During the survey 17 species of amphibians (12 salamanders, 5 anurans)
and 6 species of reptiles (2 turtles, 1 lizard, 3 snakes) were observed.
Five species that were not recorded from Wythe County by Tobey (1985),
Mitchell (1994), or Mitchell and Reay (1999) are denoted by an asterisk
below. One species, Ambystoma opacum (marbled salamander),
represents a notable western range extension, the closest vouchered record
being documented from western Pittsylvania County (Mitchell and Reay
1999). An annotated checklist of the species found during this survey
follows. Letters in brackets refer to sampling locations listed above and
shown on the map (Fig. 1). Table 1 summarizes the species found at each
location.
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CATESBEIANA 2003, 23(1)
Annotated Checklist
Amphibians
*1. Ambystoma jeffersonianum (Jefferson salamander) - [F]
Two larvae were captured in a vernal pond on Lick Mountain. These
specimens were reared in a laboratory to allow for the development of
adult color patterns. Tobey (1985) plotted one locality in Wythe County
for this species but Mitchell and Reay (1999) did not record it in this
county. A specimen has been deposited in the Virginia Museum of
Natural History.
2. Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted salamander) - [A, F]
Many larvae were dipnetted in vernal pools.
*3. Ambystoma opacum (Marbled salamander) - [F]
One larva captured in a vernal pool on Lick Mountain was reared in the
laboratory and found to have the Ambystoma opacum color pattern. This
specimen has been deposited in the Virginia Museum of Natural History
and represents a new county record. The lack of previous records of this
species from this area is most likely due to limited sampling.
4. Desmognathus Just us (Northern dusky salamander) - f A, E]
A total of ten adult specimens were found under rocks along streams.
One salamander was observed eating a worm.
5. Desmognathus monticola (Seal salamander) - [A, E, F]
Nineteen adult and six juvenile seal salamanders were found during this
survey. They were found along streams under rock cobble.
6. Desmognathus ochrophaeus (Alleghany mountain dusky salamander)
- [A, B, F]
Three adults and four juveniles were found along streams under rocks and
logs.
6
Herps of Big Survey WMA
7. Eurycea cirrigera (Southern two-lined salamander) - [A, EJ
A total of six adult two-lined salamanders were found along streamside
habitats under rocks and logs.
8. Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens (Red-spotted newt) - {D, F]
One newt was dipnetted in a vernal pool and another was dipnetted in a
pond.
9. Plethodon cinereus (Red-backed salamander) - [A, B, E, F]
A total of thirty red-backed salamanders were collected during our
survey. They were found under bark, logs, rocks, and leaf litter. One
adult was missing its tail. Another adult was observed with eggs.
10. Plethodon cylindraceus (White-spotted slimy salamander) - f A, B, C,
E, F]
This species was found in the most locations of any salamander species.
A total of eleven adults and two juveniles were found under logs, rocks,
and in rock crevices.
11. Plethodon richmotidi (Ravine salamander) - [F]
Four adults were found under logs and one adult was found under a rock.
All sites were adjacent to a small stream.
12. Pseudotriton ruber (Red salamander) - [E]
One red salamander was found under a rock on the edge of a powerline
right-of-way. This site was adjacent to a spring and a stream.
13. Bufo americanus americanus (American toad) - [A, C, E]
Two adult toads were found under rocks and some tadpoles were found
dead in an old mine pond at site A.
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CATES B El ANA 2003, 23(1)
*14. Pseudacris crucifer crucifer (Northern spring peeper) - [A, B, D]
Three spring peepers were heard calling during this survey.
15. Rana clamitans melanota (Northern green frog) - [A]
One male was observed calling beside a stream.
16. Rana palustris (Pickerel frog) - [D]
Several adults were found along the edge of a trout pond.
*17. Rana sylvatica (Wood frog) - [A, F]
Many tadpoles were dipnetted in a vernal pool at site F. A few specimens
were collected and reared to metamorphosis. One adult measuring 70 mm
SVL was found beside a stream.
Reptiles
*18. Chelydra serpentina serpentina (Eastern snapping turtle) - [A, F]
A total of three snapping turtles, two adults and one juvenile (33 mm
carapace length), were found. Microhabitats included a pool and swampy
area.
19. Terrapene Carolina Carolina (Eastern box turtle) - [A]
One live box turtle (140 mm plastron length) and one dried shell were
found.
20. Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus (Northern fence lizard) - [CJ
Fence lizards were the only lizards found during this survey. One gravid
female was found under a log.
8