List of amphibians of West Virginia

48 species of amphibians (class Amphibia) are known to inhabit the state of West Virginia. The ranges of some 34 salamander species and 14 species of frogs and toads extend into some portion of the state. Two of these — the Cheat Mountain salamander and West Virginia spring salamander — are endemic to West Virginia; they are the only vertebrate species found only within the state. The former species is considered threatened and the latter is considered endangered by federal authorities. Many of West Virginia's amphibian species are declining in population due to habitat destruction and water pollution.[1]

The Cheat Mountain salamander (Plethodon nettingi)
The hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
An adult red-spotted, or eastern, newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)
The northern dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) with egg clutch
The eastern American toad (Bufo americanus)
The spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
The gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor)
A female American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
The northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens)

The taxa

The following letters indicate the likelihood of finding each animal in West Virginia:[2]

CCommonCan be commonly seen in suitable habitat within current range.
UUncommonSeldom seen because habitat restricted and/or behavior secretive.
RRareNot often present even in suitable habitat.

In addition, the IUCN classifies one of these species as endangered EN and six as near-threatened NT.

Order Caudata (salamanders)

Family Cryptobranchidae (giant salamanders)

Family Proteidae (waterdogs and mudpuppies)

Family Ambystomatidae (mole salamanders)

Family Salamandridae (true salamanders)

Family Plethodontidae (lungless salamanders)

Order Anura (frogs)

Family Scaphiopodidae (American spadefoot toads)

Family Bufonidae (true toads)

Family Hylidae (tree frogs and allies)

Family Ranidae (true frogs)

See also

References
  1. "West Virginia Reptiles and Amphibians". West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. 2003. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  2. "Amphibians and Reptiles of West Virginia: A Field Checklist" (PDF). West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. December 2003. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  3. Geoffrey Hammerson, Christopher Phillips 2004. Cryptobranchus alleganiensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T59077A11879843. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/59077/11879843. Downloaded on 29 October 2018.
  4. Geoffrey Hammerson 2004. Ambystoma barbouri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T59053A11875949. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/59053/11875949. Downloaded on 29 October 2018.
  5. Geoffrey Hammerson 2004. Plethodon virginia. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T59360A11908996. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/59360/11908996. Downloaded on 29 October 2018.
  6. Geoffrey Hammerson 2004. Plethodon nettingi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T17627A7207626. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/17627/7207626. Downloaded on 29 October 2018.
  7. Geoffrey Hammerson, Joseph Mitchell 2004. Plethodon punctatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T59351A11921999. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/59351/11921999. Downloaded on 29 October 2018.
  8. Geoffrey Hammerson, Christopher Beachy 2004. Gyrinophilus subterraneus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T59283A11897278. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/59283/11897278. Downloaded on 29 October 2018.
  9. Geoffrey Hammerson 2004. Aneides aeneus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T1282A3385547. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/1282/3385547. Downloaded on 29 October 2018.
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