NEWS-TRIBUNE (Rome, Georgia) 28 September 13 Rare salamanders found in Northwest Georgia (Doug Walker)
People react to salamanders in much the same way they react to snakes. The critters either don’t bother you in any way, shape or form — or folks let out a squeal and run in the opposite direction.
Brett Tyler, a graduate student at Berry College, and Nate Thomas of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources were checking vegetation at the Rocky Mountain Recreation and Public Fishing Area when Tyler spotted what he thought was a green salamander.
Thomas, who is acquainted with rare species, knew Tyler’s description fit the green salamander, which is a candidate for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Green salamanders were not thought to have been located in Georgia’s Ridge and Valley region.
Thomas and Tyler went back to Rocky Mountain and found a total of six of the slimy critters. Thomas later discovered more of the creatures at the John’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area and a third site on private property near Summerville.
Why is their discovery significant? Because the critter is lungless; it exchanges gas through its skin.
“They are kind of a keystone species for air and water quality,” Thomas said. “They’re so sensitive, like freshwater mussels are to rivers and streams. Salamanders have that role too.”
Their discovery is seen as a positive sign, environmentally speaking, for the forest and waters at Rocky Mountain and Johns Creek.
David Gregory, a wildlife biologist with the DNR in Armuchee, coordinated the writing of a new management plan for the Rocky Mountain area northwest of Rome. He said the existence of the salamanders will affect the way harvesting of some of the trees is handled.
The green salamander is generally a little more than five inches long and is usually found in rocky, shady areas with significant levels of moisture. They eat small insects, snails and slugs, and in turn are preyed upon by some species of snakes.
Thomas said that he, Tyler and John Jensen of the DNR are working to get their discoveries published in a number of scientific journals.
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