Re-evaluation of the Wehrle’s salamander (Plethodon wehrlei Fowler and Dunn) species group (Caudata: Plethodontidae) using genomic data, with the description of a new species
Author
Felix, Zachary I.
Author
Wooten, Jessica A.
Author
Pierson, Todd W.
Author
Camp, Carlos D.
text
Zootaxa
2019
2019-05-24
4609
3
429
448
journal article
26673
10.11646/zootaxa.4609.3.2
c2c14377-a720-4287-9345-039a43b01590
1175-5326
3227942
FD86F28B-E6DD-49BF-AA52-7D224FDF3B9D
Plethodon dixi
Pope & Fowler 1949
English name: Roanoke salamander,
Conant
et al.
1956
Plethodon wehrlei dixi
,
Bogert 1954
,
Conant 1958
Plethodon wehrlei
(part),
Highton 1962
Plethodon dixi
,
Kuchta
et al.
2018
Holotype
:
Chicago Natural History Museum (
CNHM
) 56510
Type locality:
Dixie Caverns, Roanoke County,
Virginia
Remarks:
This species was described as a cave-dwelling form within the
P. wehrlei
group (
Pope & Fowler 1949
). It is sister to all other members of the group. Originally synonymized with
P. wehrlei
by
Highton (1962)
,
Kuchta
et al
. (2018)
resurrected it as a species based on its genetic and phenotypic distinctiveness. Its known range is two caves in Roanoke County in the Ridge and Valley physiographic province of
Virginia
(
Pope and Fowler 1949
,
Fowler 1951
), and its conservation status is unknown.