Condylura cristata in Western South Carolina 47 



U.S. 107 (34° 12' 00" N, 83° 04' 11" W). The collection site was 

 a fern glade located in a relatively narrow, steep-walled gorge of the 

 East Fork of the Chattooga River dominated by an eastern hemlock 

 (Tsuga canadensis), white pine {Pinus strobus), and rhododendron 

 (Rhododendron maximum) streamside community which grades upslope 

 into yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), mixed oak (Quercus sp.), 

 and hickory (Carya spp.). Elevation was approximately 760 m. In addition 

 to the C. cristata specimen, six Sorex fumeus and four S. cinereus 

 were recovered in the pitfall. This collection site is the locality from 

 which the first state records of S. cinereus (Laerm et al. 1995) and 

 Clethrionomys gapperi (Pivorun et al. 1984) were reported. Additional 

 small mammals reported by Laerm et al. (In press) and Pivorun et 

 al. (1987) include S. hoyi, Blarina brevicauda, Peromyscus leucopus, 

 and P. maniculatus. 



The star-nosed mole is documented in nearby areas of North Carolina 

 including the mountains "near the border of South Carolina" (Audubon 

 and Bachman 1851) and Clay, Henderson, Macon, Polk, and Transylvania 

 counties (Brimley 1945, Odum 1949, Johnston 1967, Lee et al. 1982, 

 Lee 1987, Webster 1987, Beane 1995). The nearest Blue Ridge locality 

 in Georgia is Union County (Laerm 1981). 



Condylura cristata is apparently rare in the Blue Ridge or exceedingly 

 difficult to trap (Clark et al. 1985). Approximately 140,000 pitfall 

 and snap trap nights in western South Carolina by Laerm et al. (1995) 

 and Laerm et al. (In press) have failed to yield another specimen. 

 Lee (1982) noted the absence of C. cristata from the Piedmont of 

 North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia (see also Laerm 1981) 

 indicating populations in the Blue Ridge to be disjunct from those 

 on the Coastal Plain. However, Beane (1995) mapped undocumented 

 records of C. cristata from the Piedmont suggesting a possible continuous 

 distribution from the Coastal Plain to the Blue Ridge. We would not 

 concur that undocumented records are sufficient to justify such a sup- 

 position. Golley's (1966:49) map for C. cristata indicates a record 

 from the South Carolina Piedmont (Marion County) without supporting 

 comment or documentation, but neither Lee (1982) nor we have been 

 able to confirm this record. In so far as we have been able to ascertain, 

 there are no documented records from the Piedmont of South Carolina. 

 Laerm (1981) noted an unconfirmed report from the Piedmont (Jackson 

 County) of Georgia. The possible occurrence of C. cristata in the Piedmont 

 of these states is questionable. We concur with Beane (1995) that 

 efforts be made to provide documentation for the species in areas from 

 which it has not been confirmed. 



