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| Subspecies: | Unknown |
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| Est. World Population: | |
| CITES Status: | NOT LISTED |
| IUCN Status: | Vulnerable |
| 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:
This aquatic species can be found in medium to large streams that have logs, submerged ledges, rocks, and other hiding places on the bottom (Ashton and Peavy 1986). Their historical range is thought to have included streams 10 m wide or greater, with moderate flows and alternating pools and rapids (Ashton and Peavy 1986, Bailey 1992). Semi-permanent leaf beds (where they exist) are likely to be visited frequently (Ashton and Peavy 1986). Guyer (1997) analysed habitat to distinguish sites with waterdogs from those lacking the species. He found waterdogs to be associated with clay substrates lacking silt, wide and/or shallow stream morphology, increased snail and Desmognathus (dusky salamander) abundance, and decreased Corbicula (Asiatic mussel) occurrence. This species breeds by larval development, and eggs are attached to the underside of objects in water. This species is paedomorphic, which may limit dispersal and gene flow between subpopulations (Niemiller et al. 2022).
Range:
This species can be found in the upper (Appalachian) portions of the Black Warrior River drainage in Alabama, USA (Bart et al. 1997). It can be expected to potentially inhabit the same streams as the threatened flattened musk turtle (Sternotherus depressus), which is also restricted to permanent streams above the fall line in the Black Warrior River basin (Mount 1975).
At the time of the 2004 assessment, subpopulations were reported in the Sipsey Fork and Brushy Creek, Winston County; Mulberry Fork, Blackwater Creek, and Lost Creek in Walker County; North River and Yellow Creek, Tuscaloosa County; and Locust Fork and Blackburn Fork in Blount County (Bailey 2005). Environmental DNA surveys conducted in 2013-2014 confirmed the persistence of the species at some of the historical sites and also detected it at the new locality of Gurley Creek, Locust Fork tributary, on the border of Blount and Jefferson Counties (USFWS Endangered Species Status 2018, USFWS Recovery Outline 2018). This eDNA result was subsequently verified by captured individuals of the species.
In 2018, the USFWS designated "approximately 673 kilometers of streams and rivers in Blount, Etowah, Jefferson, Lawrence, Marshall, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties, Alabama" as critical habitat for this species (USFWS Endangered Species Status 2018). Generally, this was based on 1) the presence of suitable habitat, and 2) records of the species from the 8 years prior to the designation in 2018. The Extant polygon in this assessment represents the watersheds (Hydrologic Unit 10) containing the USFWS critical habitat.
It is possible that eDNA surveys might record the species in areas where it has not previously been reported. In addition, the species may exist and/or persist at sites that have not been designated as critical habitat. Therefore, a "possibly extant" polygon is included in the range map that captures the areas within the broader "current range map" provided on the USFWS ECOS Species Profile (which includes the Mulberry, Sipsey Fork, Locust, and Upper Black Warrior subbasins, i.e. Hydrologic Units 8). Further improvements to the map should be made to indicate 1) areas with historic records where the species is "possibly extinct" and 2) areas within the "possibly extant" polygon where the species has been confirmed as extant since 2018.
The extent of occurrence (EOO) of the extant polygon is 13,148 km2, an increase from the 2004 assessment map which had an EOO of 8,152 km2. The EOO of the "possibly extant" polygon is 14,794 km2 and the EOO of a minimum convex polygon (MCP) around the critical habitat streams and rivers is 9,799 km2. Because mapping the species at the watershed level may exaggerate the species actual extant distribution, the EOO of an MCP drawn around the critical habitat (line polygon of streams and rivers) is used as a minimum EOO value. The AOO derived from the USFWS critical habitat map is 1,280 km2; more than double the estimated AOO from 2004 of "less than 500 km2". Because the species may not be present throughout its designated critical habitat, both the minimum EOO value and the AOO value may be overestimates.
At the time of the 2004 assessment, subpopulations were reported in the Sipsey Fork and Brushy Creek, Winston County; Mulberry Fork, Blackwater Creek, and Lost Creek in Walker County; North River and Yellow Creek, Tuscaloosa County; and Locust Fork and Blackburn Fork in Blount County (Bailey 2005). Environmental DNA surveys conducted in 2013-2014 confirmed the persistence of the species at some of the historical sites and also detected it at the new locality of Gurley Creek, Locust Fork tributary, on the border of Blount and Jefferson Counties (USFWS Endangered Species Status 2018, USFWS Recovery Outline 2018). This eDNA result was subsequently verified by captured individuals of the species.
In 2018, the USFWS designated "approximately 673 kilometers of streams and rivers in Blount, Etowah, Jefferson, Lawrence, Marshall, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties, Alabama" as critical habitat for this species (USFWS Endangered Species Status 2018). Generally, this was based on 1) the presence of suitable habitat, and 2) records of the species from the 8 years prior to the designation in 2018. The Extant polygon in this assessment represents the watersheds (Hydrologic Unit 10) containing the USFWS critical habitat.
It is possible that eDNA surveys might record the species in areas where it has not previously been reported. In addition, the species may exist and/or persist at sites that have not been designated as critical habitat. Therefore, a "possibly extant" polygon is included in the range map that captures the areas within the broader "current range map" provided on the USFWS ECOS Species Profile (which includes the Mulberry, Sipsey Fork, Locust, and Upper Black Warrior subbasins, i.e. Hydrologic Units 8). Further improvements to the map should be made to indicate 1) areas with historic records where the species is "possibly extinct" and 2) areas within the "possibly extant" polygon where the species has been confirmed as extant since 2018.
The extent of occurrence (EOO) of the extant polygon is 13,148 km2, an increase from the 2004 assessment map which had an EOO of 8,152 km2. The EOO of the "possibly extant" polygon is 14,794 km2 and the EOO of a minimum convex polygon (MCP) around the critical habitat streams and rivers is 9,799 km2. Because mapping the species at the watershed level may exaggerate the species actual extant distribution, the EOO of an MCP drawn around the critical habitat (line polygon of streams and rivers) is used as a minimum EOO value. The AOO derived from the USFWS critical habitat map is 1,280 km2; more than double the estimated AOO from 2004 of "less than 500 km2". Because the species may not be present throughout its designated critical habitat, both the minimum EOO value and the AOO value may be overestimates.
Conservation:
Conservation Actions In-Place
This species occurs in two major headwater streams within the Bankhead National Forest. It is listed as Endangered on the Endangered Species Act (USFWS Endangered Species Status 2018) and is on the list of state protected species in Alabama (de Souza et al. 2016). It should be noted that the Federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and the Clean Water Act of 1972 have been ineffective in preventing the continued decline of species in the Black Warrior basin (Dodd et al. 1986, Mettee et al. 1989, Hartfield 1990, Bailey and Guyer 1998, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998).
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
A Recovery Outline was published for this species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2018 with "a recovery priority of 2, which indicates the species faces a high degree of threat with a low recovery potential". Recovery actions should focus on monitoring subpopulations, and protecting and improving habitat quality and management, including through the creation and enforcement of state legislation and regulations; more detailed information is available within the Recovery Outline.
Research Needed
The habitat status (i.e. water quality) and population should be monitored through eDNA surveys, which may also detect previously unknown subpopulations; the specific sources of threats should be identified (USFWS Recovery Outline).
This species occurs in two major headwater streams within the Bankhead National Forest. It is listed as Endangered on the Endangered Species Act (USFWS Endangered Species Status 2018) and is on the list of state protected species in Alabama (de Souza et al. 2016). It should be noted that the Federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and the Clean Water Act of 1972 have been ineffective in preventing the continued decline of species in the Black Warrior basin (Dodd et al. 1986, Mettee et al. 1989, Hartfield 1990, Bailey and Guyer 1998, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998).
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
A Recovery Outline was published for this species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2018 with "a recovery priority of 2, which indicates the species faces a high degree of threat with a low recovery potential". Recovery actions should focus on monitoring subpopulations, and protecting and improving habitat quality and management, including through the creation and enforcement of state legislation and regulations; more detailed information is available within the Recovery Outline.
Research Needed
The habitat status (i.e. water quality) and population should be monitored through eDNA surveys, which may also detect previously unknown subpopulations; the specific sources of threats should be identified (USFWS Recovery Outline).