The Origin and Ecology of a Likely Introduced Population of Southern Black-Bellied Salamanders (Desmognathus amphileucus)

Characterizing the origin and ecology of introduced species is important for developing management plans. We discovered an isolated population of black-bellied salamanders (Desmognathus sp.) in the Piedmont of Georgia, 30 km southwest of their known range. We used phylogenetic methods to confirm the salamanders were Southern Black-Bellied Salamanders (D. amphileucus), with their closest relatives in the Blue Ridge. We observed all life stages and used mark-recapture methods to estimate a population size of 39 post-metamorphic individuals. We used gastric lavage to document prey items novel in diet studies of black-bellied salamanders but reported previously in other Desmognathus. We hypothesize this population was likely introduced via the bait trade, has grown since introduction, and is consuming resources used by native salamanders.