Research Spotlight: Jemez Mountains Salamander

A Jemez Mountains salamander stands alert on the forest floor.

NPS

Valles Caldera National Preserve and Bandelier National Monument are home to one of the rarest species on the planet, the Jemez Mountains salamander (Plethodon neomexicanus). This species is only found in the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico, and it was listed in 2013 as an endangered species by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Ecology

This small amphibian measures up to five inches (12.7 cm) in length and spends the majority of its life underground. As a terrestrial amphibian it does not require standing water for any life stage, but lacks lungs and instead obtains oxygen directly through the skin. To do so, it requires a moist environment for breathing, and as a result it only comes to the surface in wet periods during the warmer months, usually associated with summer monsoon season.

The Jemez Mountains salamander thrives in the cool, high-elevation volcanic mountains of the Valles Caldera, with shady, wooded sites at elevations 7,500 - 9,500 feet (2,300 - 2,900 m), often in mixed-conifer forests with fir, spruce, and aspen.

The salamanders eat ants, mites, spiders, and small beetles. When surface-active they are usually found under rocks, bark, logs, moss mats, or inside decomposing logs. Little is known of their underground activities, but it is presumed that this is where they lay their eggs, and it is known that the salamanders are fully formed when they hatch.

Searching for a previously captured salamander that was implanted with a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag.

NPS/M. Peyton

Forest Restoration

This species faces many challenges from climate disruption, including high severity wildfires, drought, and environmental warming. Protection and restoration of the cool, moist, and shaded habitats of this species is essential to its conservation. Valles Caldera National Preserve biologists are actively engaged in forest restoration activities to help protect these and other important animals.

Collaborative Conservation

These research and monitoring activities would not be possible without the hard work and support from several partners and collaborators. Special thanks to Dr. Nancy Karraker of the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Rachel Loehman of the United States Geological Survey, Dr. Anita Antoninka and Kara Gibson from Northern Arizona University, the United States Forest Service, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the NM Endemic Salamander Team, and the amphibian and reptile conservancy.

Jemez Mountains salamander

NPS

Research

The following research projects are currently underway at Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Activity Periods

The goal of this project is to identify the periods when the Jemez Mountains salamander is above ground and active on the forest floor.

Disease

Amphibian fungal pathogens have been detected in three Jemez Mountains salamanders and other amphibians in the area. Work is underway to get a more complete picture of how widespread the disease may be and to understand how it is being spread.

Thermal imagery of heat released during managed fire activities.

Monitoring

The following monitoring efforts are currently underway at Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Soils

Soils monitoring will determine the effects of various forest management approaches on the structure and function of soil communities and abiotic properties.

Habitat

Habitat monitoring will determine the effects of forest restoration practices on microclimate characteristics of Jemez Mountains salamander habitat.

Fire

This monitoring will quantify the effectiveness of active management tools as a means for reducing the likelihood of wildfire-induced damages to protected salamander species while preserving or restoring critical habitat elements.