Notes on the Distribution and Ecology of the Black 
Mountain Dusky Salamander Desmognathus welteri 
Barbour (Amphibia: Plethodontidae) in Tennessee 
William H. Redmond 
Office of Natural Resources, 
Tennessee Valley Authority, 
Norris, Tennessee 37828 
ABSTRACT.— Desmognathus welteri was found at 16 localities in the 
Cumberland Mountains and the northern half of the Cumberland 
Plateau. The observed intermittent seasonal nature of most southern 
Cumberland Plateau small streams, combined with the strong aquatic 
tendencies of the species, may be responsible for the apparent absence of 
D. welteri in this region. Cursory observations indicate that D. welteri 
and D. monticola may be competitors, while D. welteri and D. fuscus 
probably partition the streamside habitats according to gradient and 
substrate particle size. Alteration of streams by coal strip mine opera- 
tions and extensive use of the species for fish bait have resulted in the 
decline of many local populations. Considering these factors, D. welteri 
should continue to be considered a species “in need of management” in 
Tennessee. 
INTRODUCTION 
Desmognathus welteri was originally described from Big Black 
Mountain, Harlan County, Kentucky, as a subspecies of D. fuscus 
(Barbour 1950). Subsequently, Barbour (1971) believed that sufficient 
evidence was available to treat it as a distinct species. Recent studies of 
Caldwell (1977, 1980), Caldwell and Trauth (1979), and Juterbock (1975, 
1978) provided substantial morphological evidence that supports this 
proposal. Barbour (1971) noted the range of D. welteri as the eastern 
third of Kentucky with disjunct populations in east central Alabama and 
northern West Virginia. Caldwell (1977) stated that D. welteri probably 
does not occur in Alabama and that most reports of the species from the 
state were based on misidentified D. monticola. Juterbock (1975) 
provided the first Tennessee record of D. welteri, from Cumberland Gap 
National Historic Park, Claiborne County. Caldwell (1977) and Caldwell 
and Trauth (19'^9) reported the species from Pickett, Fentress, Cum- 
berland, and Scott counties. Redmond and Jones (1978) noted the Ten- 
nessee distribution to include the northern half of the Cumberland 
Plateau Physiographic Province. Caldwell and Trauth (1979) believed 
that the distribution of D. welteri reached its southern limit in the Crab 
Orchard Mountains near the northern end of Walden Ridge, Cum- 
berland County, Tennessee. 
In 1975, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency included D. 
welteri in a list of species designated as “wildlife in need of management.” 
This designation includes species that are potential candidates for 
threatened status, but whose status needs further evaluation in the state 
123 
Brimleyana No. 4: 123-131. December 1980. 
