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| Subspecies: | Unknown |
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| Est. World Population: | 249 |
| CITES Status: | NOT LISTED |
| IUCN Status: | Critically Endangered |
| U.S. ESA Status: | NOT LISTED |
| Body Length: | |
| Tail Length: | |
| Shoulder Height: | |
| Weight: | |
| Top Speed: | |
| Jumping Ability: | (Horizontal) |
| Life Span: | in the Wild |
| Life Span: | in Captivity |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Females) |
| Sexual Maturity: | (Males) |
| Litter Size: | |
| Gestation Period: | |
Habitat:
During both breeding and non-breeding periods this species inhabits limestone cave stream passages with large amounts of decaying organic matter. Individuals are present in the streams and on mud banks along the streams. It is undoubtedly dependent on high-quality water and the availability of organic material flushed into the cave from outside sources.
Range:
This species is endemic to one relatively small cave system, the General Davis Cave in Greenbrier County, southeastern West Virginia, USA (Petranka 1998, Beachy 2005). Cave explorers have observed West Virginia spring salamanders almost 2 km beyond the cave entrance. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 3 km2 measured by a minimum convex polygon of its known range; however the EOO has been adjusted to 4 km2 as area of occupancy (AOO) values should not exceed EOO (IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee 2019).
Conservation:
Conservation Actions In-Place
The Nature Conservancy owns an easement on the cave system and has the title to one entrance, however another entrance and the entire watershed remain unprotected.
In an effort to prevent the introduction of Bsal into the US, an Interim Rule of the Lacey Act has been enacted that bans the importation of 201 species of salamanders (USFWS 2016). Additionally, a temporary voluntary trade moratorium of imports of Asian salamander species that are known to carry the disease until such time as effective testing and treatment regimens can be developed and distributed has been recommended to all exporters, shippers, sellers and buyers by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC). A North America Bsal Task Force has also been created, with working groups designed to address a variety of disease prevention and mitigation goals (North America Bsal Task Force 2021).
Conservation Needed
Expansion of effective habitat preservation and continued management of the existing easement is needed for the conservation of this species.
Research Needed
Long-term studies such as monitoring programmes are recommended to evaluate its population status. Further research on threats facing this species is also recommended.
The Nature Conservancy owns an easement on the cave system and has the title to one entrance, however another entrance and the entire watershed remain unprotected.
In an effort to prevent the introduction of Bsal into the US, an Interim Rule of the Lacey Act has been enacted that bans the importation of 201 species of salamanders (USFWS 2016). Additionally, a temporary voluntary trade moratorium of imports of Asian salamander species that are known to carry the disease until such time as effective testing and treatment regimens can be developed and distributed has been recommended to all exporters, shippers, sellers and buyers by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC). A North America Bsal Task Force has also been created, with working groups designed to address a variety of disease prevention and mitigation goals (North America Bsal Task Force 2021).
Conservation Needed
Expansion of effective habitat preservation and continued management of the existing easement is needed for the conservation of this species.
Research Needed
Long-term studies such as monitoring programmes are recommended to evaluate its population status. Further research on threats facing this species is also recommended.