Plethodon serratus
southern red-backed salamander

Southern red-backed salamanders occur in four disjunct populations in the southern United States. These ranges are: the Salem Plateau of southeast Missouri, the Ouachita Mountains of extreme southeast Oklahoma and west-central Arkansas, the Piedmont Plateau and Blue Ridge Mountains of northwest Georgia and nearby portions of extreme eastern Alabama, eastern Tennessee, and western North Carolina, and, finally, in isolated locations in central Louisiana. (Bartlett and Bartlett, 2006; Camp, 1988; Conant and Collins, 1998; Petranka, 1998)

Over most of its range, Plethodon serratus occurs in upland deciduous forests that contain abundant rocks or logs. In central Louisiana, this species lives among rocky hillsides in forests of longleaf pine. Plethodon serratus occurs in a range of moisture conditions, from moist mesic to drier, better-drained habitats. During the spring months from April to early June, P. serratus is associated with thick leaf litter and dead, downed wood. From September to March, these salamanders often take refuge under rocks and logs. During the warm summer months (June, July, and August) P. serratus tends to stay underground. During this time, these salamanders may burrow up to one meter into the soil. (Conant and Collins, 1998; Herbeck and Semlitsch, 2000; Petranka, 1998)

Southern red-backed salamanders are small, narrow-bodied salamanders with short legs; they are best identified by their mid-dorsal stripe extending from the neck area to the tail. The stripe is orange or reddish, often with a serrated edge, especially in the Ouachita Mountain and Louisiana populations. Other populations may have less pronounced serration in the stripe. The serrated nature of the stripe led to the naming of this species P. serratus. Red coloring from the back may blend into the sides, but not on the belly. "Lead back" coloration, in which the dorsal coloration is dark, is also found in this species, similar to the lead-back morph found in their close relative, Plethodon cinereus. Southern red-backed salamanders may have from 18 to 21 costal grooves, varying geographically. The most common number of costal grooves for the species in Missouri is 18; Louisiana, Ouachita, and Blue Ridge individuals most commonly have 19; individuals in Georgia and Alabama have 20 or 21 grooves. Studies from three different geographic populations of these salamanders produced similar body size results. Adults range in size from 31 to 47 mm measured from snout to vent. Total length of adult salamanders is between 81 and 105 mm. Juveniles similar in color to adults. (Camp, 1988; Conant and Collins, 1998; Herbeck and Semlitsch, 2000; Petranka, 1998)

There is no free larval stage in this species. (Camp, 1988; Conant and Collins, 1998; Petranka, 1998)

There have not been any published studies on the average or maximum lifespan of southern red-backed salamanders. Other salamanders in this genus have been known to live up to 25 years in the wild in rare cases. Since southern red-backed salamanders do not reproduce until they are 2 or 3 years old and some populations reproduce biennially, it is reasonable to assume a lifespan of several years to be normal in this species. ("Shenandoah Salamander", 2006)

Southern red-backed salamanders maintain and defend territories against conspecifics. They are solitary and will not tolerate intruders in their territories, especially during the winter breeding season. In laboratory experiments, intruders avoided confrontation with resident salamanders regardless of size or age advantages. This experiment also showed that individuals were able to distinguish between their own scent and that of other salamanders. It is likely that southern red-backed salamanders use chemical signals as a way of establishing territories. (Camp, 1988; Camp, 1999; Herbeck and Semlitsch, 2000; Mathis, Deckard, and Duer, 1998)

Southern red-backed salamanders exhibit predictable behaviors when two individuals confront each other in the wild. Aggressive behaviors include head bobbing, raising the body off the substrate, snout-touching, lunging, head-butting, biting, gripping, and chasing. Submissive behaviors include flattening the body and fleeing from an opponent. These behaviors allow salamanders to communicate and determine victory in territorial disputes. There is also some preliminary evidence that these salamanders may be able to remember past opponents. (Camp, 1999)

Southern red-backed salamanders exhibit seasonal differences in habitat preferences. During the hot, dry summer months, P. serratus will burrow into the ground to escape from desiccation and heat stress. Finding salamanders during the summer months is very difficult, although some may also be found near wet seepages and springs seeking refuge from hot, dry weather. (Bartlett and Bartlett, 2006; Conant and Collins, 1998; Herbeck and Semlitsch, 2000)

Like other woodland salamanders, southern red-backed salamanders are nocturnal. They are most likely to travel from under their protective refuges under logs or rocks on moist or rainy nights. (Conant and Collins, 1998; Mount, 1975)

Home Range

No studies on the home range size of Plethodon serratus could be found. (Petranka, 1998)

Laboratory tests with southern red-backed salamanders indicate that chemoreception is important in communication between individuals. Animals are able to distinguish between their own scent marks and those of other salamanders. The ability of these salamanders to distinguish the presence of others helps them maintain territories. Intruders avoid confrontations with resident salamanders based on this scent recognition. (Mathis, Deckard, and Duer, 1998)

Southern red-backed salamanders communicate with each other during territorial disputes using visual, tactile, and chemical clues. In addition to the aggressive and submissive behaviors listed in the "Behavior" section, these salamanders also communicate using some non-aggressive and passive-aggressive behaviors. They may contact other individuals with their nasal cirri or rub their chin against the other individual. Southern red-backed salamanders use tail wagging, mouth snapping, and looking at/away from another individual to communicate passive-aggressive behaviors. (Camp, 1999)

Southern red-backed salamanders eat small invertebrates. The highest percentage of their food by volume comes from ants and beetles. They also eat snails, annelids, mites, spiders, pseudoscorpions, millipedes, centipedes, isopods, and several other types of insects. (Bartlett and Bartlett, 2006; Petranka, 1998)

No specific studies have been published on predation on southern red-backed salamanders. The most likely predators include small woodland snakes, shrews, birds, small mammals like skunks, and perhaps larger salamander species. (Bartlett and Bartlett, 2006; Petranka, 1998)

Plethodontid salamanders have been shown to be ecologically important in temperate forest ecosystems. The total biomass of plethodontid salamanders in a New Hampshire forest was shown to be equal to that of small mammals and greater than the biomass of birds. Plethodon cinereus, a close relative of P. serratus, made up 93.5% of the total salamander biomass. It is certain that woodland salamanders in the genus Plethodon play a significant role in the nutrient flow and food webs of their ecosystems. In addition, studies of species such as P. serratus can indicate environmental problems in their woodland habitats. (Burton and Likens, 1975; Herbeck and Semlitsch, 2000; Petranka, 1998)

Results from an experiment that altered the densities of other Plethodon salamanders, including Plethodon jordani, showed that when densities of the other species were reduced, there were no detectable effects on the density of southern red-backed salamanders. This finding suggests that P. serratus is not in direct competition with other, larger plethodontid salamanders. (Petranka, 1998)

These salamanders are totally harmless to human interests.

Small woodland salamanders help to cycle nutrients in woodland habitats and thus help maintain a healthy forest, certainly a benefit to humans. Their populations are indicators of the health of woodland ecosystems. Woodland salamanders are sometimes collected as fish bait. (Burton and Likens, 1975; Petranka, 1998)

Plethodon serratus is currently not listed in any federal or state endangered species program. The species is generally common over much of its range, where suitable habitat remains. However, Plethodon serratus occurs mostly in isolated pockets in central Louisiana. Strip mining operations have resulted in further fragmentation of populations. At least one small population has been extirpated in west-central Louisiana due to strip mining. Others have likely shared a similar fate. The population of P. serratus in this state should be monitored closely since it is isolated from other populations. (Crnkovic, 2002)

The habitat of Plethodon serratus is being degraded in areas of the southern U.S. where intensive plantation forestry for pine trees is conducted. Populations of the species in Georgia are declining as a result of these forestry practices. (Petranka, 1998)

Plethodon serratus was formerly considered a subspecies of the widespread species Plethodon cinereus until studies suggested that the southern forms were genetically distinct enough to warrant being considered a separate species. (Highton and Webster, 1976; Petranka, 1998)