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Subterranean biodiversity of North America and around the globe

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Cave Biology Data Portal
Subterranean biodiversity of North America and around the globe
AnimaliaChordataVertebrataAmphibiaCaudataPlethodontidaeDesmognathus

Seal Salamander
Desmognathus monticola Dunn, 1916

Taxonomy

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Amphibia
Order Caudata
Family Plethodontidae
Genus Desmognathus
Species Desmognathus monticola Dunn, 1916

Description

Diagnostic characters

Ecological class
Trogloxene
Realm
Terrestrial

Distribution

Range

Known from four counties across two states.

Continent

North America

Country

United States

States and provinces

Alabama, Kentucky

Counties

Alabama
Jackson
Kentucky
Estill, McCreary, Powell

Conservation and management

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

EXEWCRENVUNTLC▲

Assessed in 2021.

NatureServe

G5 Secure

G1G2G3G4G5▲

National ranks

United States
N5 Secure

Subnational ranks

Kentucky
S5 Secure
Georgia
S5 Secure
Virginia
S5 Secure
North Carolina
S5 Secure
West Virginia
S5 Secure
Pennsylvania
S3 Vulnerable
Maryland
S4 Apparently Secure

State and federal status

Not listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

References

  • Godwin, J.C. 2008. Biological inventory of the cave and karst systems of The Nature Conservancy's Sharp-Bingham Mountain Preserve. Alabama Natural Heritage Program, Auburn, Alabama, USA. 40 pp.
  • Harker, D.F., Jr. & Barr, T.C., Jr. 1979. Caves and associated fauna of Eastern Kentucky, Volume 3. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfurt, Kentucky, USA. 130 pp.

How to cite this account

Desmognathus monticola Dunn, 1916. Cave Biology Data Portal, account SP-1654. https://cavebiology.org/species/desmognathus-monticola/ (accessed 7 September 2026).

Data sources and funding are listed in the Acknowledgments.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report a correction. Accounts are compiled from many sources and corrections from people who know the group are the most useful email we get.

Cave Biology Data Portal

Species accounts, distributions, and conservation status for the subterranean fauna of North America and around the globe, with resources for the cave and karst research community.

Text and data CC BY 4.0. Images all rights reserved unless stated.

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