Lower Wilson Creek, Caldwell County, North Carolina: 

 A Thermal Refugium for Reptiles? 



Robert Wayne Van Devender 



Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, 



Boone, North Carolina 28608 



AND 



Paul F. Nicoletto 



Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and 



State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 



ABSTRACT. — Fourteen species of reptiles were found in a year-long 

 study of lower Wilson Creek, Caldwell County, North Carolina. Of 

 these, four — Anolis carolinensis, Scincella laterale, Eumeces inexpecta- 

 tus, and Tantilla coronata — represented significant range extensions 

 into the northwestern mountains of the state. Climatological studies in 

 the area revealed a relatively equable temperature regime, with lower 

 daytime highs and higher daytime and winter lows than nearby Lenoir. 

 A combination of exposed rock for basking, deep fissures, and warmer 

 night and winter temperatures is probably responsible for the con- 

 tinued presence of these species well outside their heretofore known 

 ranges. These populations may represent relicts dating from late in the 

 Hypsithermal Interval, approximately 7000 years ago. 



INTRODUCTION 



Wilson Creek and its tributaries drain most of the southeastern 

 slope of Grandfather Mountain in Avery, Burke and Caldwell counties, 

 North Carolina. These streams descend steeply from over 1220 m 

 (4000') to about 330 m (1080') where Wilson Creek flows into the Johns 

 River on its way to the Catawba River. Wilson Creek is one of the more 

 rugged and scenic streams of the eastern Blue Ridge front, with water- 

 falls and rapids in the main gorge. The discovery of several green 

 anoles, Anolis carolinensis Voigt, in the lower part of the Wilson Creek 

 gorge in August 1980 indicated that this area might also harbor other 

 species normally found only in lower, warmer parts of North Carolina. 

 We therefore set out to determine which species of reptiles occur in the 

 area, whether they represent natural populations, and what aspects of 

 the area are responsible for maintaining the reptile community. 



MATERIALS AND METHODS 



The study was carried out in the gorge of lower Wilson Creek 

 approximately 18 km (1 1 mi) west of Lenoir. The site was in the Pisgah 

 National Forest and included the riparian zone along Wilson Creek and 

 the steep, northeastern side of the gorge up to about 765 m (2510') on 



Brimleyana No.9:21-32. June 1983. 21 



