*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.
Other Common Names:
Subspecies: No subspecies recognized.
Adult Description: Medium-sized salamander (maximum 5”) with variable coloration, typically a shade of brown or gray, with nondescript darker markings on top. Tail more blade-like than Spotted Dusky Salamander, and often with a bright orange or reddish-brown coloration on anterior half of tail. Small white spots, often referred to as portholes, occur in two rows along sides of body, one spot between each costal groove, with lower row more prominent along lower body and tail. Hindlimbs slightly larger than forelimbs. Like all Desmognathus salamanders, a pale stripe extends from back of eye to corner of mouth but may be obscure in older individuals. 14 costal grooves with six costal grooves present between adpressed limbs. Belly mottled with dark and tan markings.
Similar Species:
Species Range: Gulf Coast from Mobile River of Alabama west through southern half of Mississippi to eastern Louisiana.
Louisiana Range: Historically from Atchafalaya Basin eastward but known today only from St. Tammany and Washington parishes.
Adult Habitat: Historically from a variety of forested wetlands, but now known only from olive-brown muck of baygall swamps in St. Tammany and Washington parishes.
Natural History: Valentine’s Southern Dusky Salamanders are surface-active at night, spending the day concealed under surface cover objects, but retreating further underground in dry and cold extremes. They prey upon a wide variety of invertebrates, and perhaps smaller salamanders. Snakes are likely the most important predators. Females deposit up to 31 eggs or more in small depressions under logs or leaf litter or in other voids in moist areas near water. Egg laying seemingly occurs in late summer through early fall, and females guard their nests until hatching occurs when water tables rise with fall rains. Larvae may metamorphose in 2–3 months. Age at maturity is unknown, but based on a closely related species from Tennessee, maturity may occur in 2 years, at least in males. Females may require 3 years. Maximum wild longevity is unknown but closely related species are known to live 10 years or more.
Best Time and Place to Observe: Valentine’s Southern Dusky Salamanders may be found year-round under cover objects in the muddy baygall swamps they occur in St. Tammany and Washington parishes, provided there is ample surface moisture.
Global Conservation Status: Valentine’s Southern Dusky Salamander has not been assessed, but Southern Dusky Salamanders have a relatively wide distribution in the southeastern United States and a presumed large population, and thus, are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Their NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank is G4 (Apparently Secure).
Federal Conservation Status: None.
Louisiana Conservation Status: Valentine’s Southern Dusky Salamanders have a ranking of S2 (imperiled because of rarity – 6-20 known extant populations) in Louisiana. In Louisiana, Valentine’s Southern Dusky Salamanders have a State Protection Status of ‘prohibited’, meaning possession or harvest of this species is illegal.
*** If you live in the range of this species in Louisiana and believe you may have observed this species please let me know (take a picture if possible), as there may be more unknown populations in the state.***
Author's Remarks: There is recent evidence that many of the populations that were formally attributed to this species in west and north Louisiana are not in fact Valentine’s Southern Dusky Salamanders, but rather, Catahoula/Spotted Dusky Salamanders. Valentine’s Southern Dusky Salamanders are pretty rare in the state, and found primarily in the eastern Florida Parishes. I found a few individuals in early 2017 in St. Tammany Parish.
