Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: SALAMANDER, FOUR-TOED

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AMPHIBIA

Order: CAUDATA

Family: PLETHODONTIDAE

Genus: HEMIDACTYLIUM

Species: SCUTATUM

Taxonomic Authority: (SCHLEGEL)

Taxonomy References: 025

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S4
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 002

Habitat Summary

"Occur in leaf litter, under rocks and logs in deciduous forests. Lay eggs in moss overhanging water."

Primary Habitat: "Forest- upland"

References: 002

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs in eastern Missouri, with a concentration in the St. Francois mountains. A population also occurs in Lincoln county *02*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BENTON ADAIR
BUTLER ANDREW
CAMDEN ATCHISON
CARTER AUDRAIN
CRAWFORD BARRY
DENT BARTON
HICKORY BATES
IRON BOLLINGER
JEFFERSON BOONE
LACLEDE BUCHANAN
LINCOLN CALDWELL
MADISON CALLAWAY
PHELPS CAPE GIRARDEAU
REYNOLDS CARROLL
RIPLEY CASS
SHANNON CEDAR
ST. FRANCOIS CHARITON
ST. LOUIS CHRISTIAN
STE. GENEVIEVE CLARK
STODDARD CLAY
TEXAS CLINTON
WARREN COLE
WASHINGTON COOPER
WAYNE DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DOUGLAS
DUNKLIN
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HOLT
HOWARD
HOWELL
JACKSON
JASPER
JOHNSON
KNOX
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MISSISSIPPI
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHELBY
ST. CHARLES
ST. CLAIR
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
VERNON
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 025 , 023 , 024 , 025 , 005

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss. R. from Des Moines R. to MO. R.; and North R.
Cuivre R.
Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Bourbeuse R.
Big R.
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Castor R. and Castor R. Diversion Channel
St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Osage R. from Warsaw to Bagnell Dam
Big Piney R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Black R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in listed units, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Big Rivers: Lower Mississippi
Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Lower Ozark

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial/Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Palustrine
Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"See Comments"
"Palustrine", "Unconsolidated bottom, mud"
"Palustrine", "Unconsolidated bottom, organic"
"Riverine, upper perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, cobble/gravel",
"Riverine, intermittent", "Unconsolidated bottom, cobble/gravel",
"Riverine, intermittent", "Unconsolidated bottom, cobble/gravel",
"Riverine, intermittent", "Unconsolidated bottom, cobble/gravel",

References for Aquatic Associations: 019 , 002

Habitat Types:

Intermittent Stream
Permanent Stream
Oak-Hickory Regeneration: (3-10 years)

References for Habitat Types: 018 , 003 , 004

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Forest
Upland forest
Dry-Mesic Forest
Mesic Forest
Upland Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Dry-Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Mesic Limestone/Dolomite Forest
Upland Chert Forest
Dry-Mesic Chert Forest
Upland Sandstone Forest
Dry-Mesic Sandstone Forest
Mesic Sandstone Forest
Upland Igneous Forest
Dry-Mesic Igneous Forest
Mesic Igneous Forest
Flatwoods
Wetland
Ground Water Seepage
Forested Fen
Seep
Forested Acid Seep

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 002

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Arthropods; See Comments

Comments for larval food habits:
"Are opportunistic feeders, eat small aquatic invertebrates *05*."

References for larval food habits: 005

Juvenile Food Habits

Juvenile diet similar to adult's; Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
"Are opportunistic feeders, eat small aquatic invertebrates *05*."

References Juvenile Food Habits 005

Adult Food Habits

Arthropods; See Comments

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 005

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)

References for egg niches requirements: 002 , 005

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: sinkhole
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Leaf litter/ground debris

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements: 019 , 005

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements:

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Leaf litter/ground debris specified in comments(00460)
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Turbidity: clear water
Inland wetlands: waterhole or temporary pool
Inland wetlands: intermittent stream - flow stops, pools remain
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Leaf litter/ground debris specified in comments(00460)
Downed logs

References for feeding Adult niche requirements:

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Leaf litter/ground debris
Downed logs

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 002

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Leaf litter/ground debris
Downed logs

References for resting adult niche requirements:

Niche Requirement Summary

Downed logs
Downed logs specified in comments(00660)
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Inland wetlands: intermittent stream - flow stops, pools remain
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: sinkhole
Inland wetlands: waterhole or temporary pool
Leaf litter/ground debris
Leaf litter/ground debris specified in comments(00460)
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Turbidity: clear water

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
007 Breed in fall, eggs laid in spring, usually in 1st 10 days of April *02*
035 Egg predators include ground beetles, centipedes and newts *02*.
003 Closely associated with thuidium delicatulum, a moss used to lay eggs in *05*
011 Eggs laid in moss aobve water *02,08,09*
017 Incubation 4 weeks *02*
018 Clutch size about 30 *02*

Life History Information

Territoriality: non-territorial
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Closely associated plant or animal species specified in comments(003)
Foraging strategy: stalking
Foraging sites: ground
Foraging sites: trunk of tree
Foraging sites: logs
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Nest/den site specified in comments(011)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Parental care of young: female

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
007 Breed in fall, eggs laid in spring, usually in 1st 10 days of April *02*
035 Egg predators include ground beetles, centipedes and newts *02*.
003 Closely associated with thuidium delicatulum, a moss used to lay eggs in *05*
011 Eggs laid in moss aobve water *02,08,09*
017 Incubation 4 weeks *02*
018 Clutch size about 30 *02*

References for life history: 008 , 009 , 019 , 002 , 005

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - develop/maintain spawning/nesting facilities
Water - establish/maintain basking logs near shore
Forest - maintain early stage of ecological succession
Forest - reforestation
Forest - other (specify in comments)

Beneficial Management References: 016 , 005

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - application of herbicides
Water - application of pesticides
Water - application of insecticides
Forest - application of herbicides
Forest - application of pesticides
Forest - application of insecticides

Adverse Management References: 005

Comments on Management:
Beneficial to provide/retain downed logs. Basking logs near shore will enhance marshes, swamps and oxbow lakes. Small brushpiles near shore are also beneficial. Should maintain natural habitat conditions, including a diverse native plant community, with normal water fluctuations in swamps, marshes and oxbow lakes *05*. Drawdown and moist soil management are generally detrimental. *05* constructing ephemeral pools is beneficial. Should attempt to reestablish ephemeral pools where they once existed. Possible sites can be identified using aerial photos, topographic maps, and on-site inspections. Pools should be no more than 24" deep, 10-15' across and 30-60' long, with sloping sides and some type of structure (small trees and bushes) placed in the pool. during construction, move soil perpendicular to and away from the presumed direction of water flow, so excess water will flow away. Surrounding trees should not be removed. *16*

References for Management Comments: 016 , 005

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Schuette, B. 1980. Geographic Distribution-New Records. Herp. Review 11(4): 115.
002 Johnson, T.R. 2000. The Amphibians And Reptiles Of Missouri, 2nd. Ed. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 400 Pp.
003 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
004 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
005 Unpb Johnson, T.R. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. 573-751-4115.
006 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation & U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
007 Thom, R.H. & J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
008 Easterla, D.A. 1971. A Breeding Concentration Of Four-Toed Salamanders, Hemidactylium Scutatum. J. Herp. 5: 194-195.
009 Harris, R.N. & D.E. Gill. 1980. Communal Nesting, Brooding Behavior, And Embryonic Survival Of The Four-Toed Salamander, Hemidactylium Scutatum. Herpetologica 36(2): 141-144.
010 Unpb Johnson, T.R. Checklist Of Missouri Amphibians. Mo Dept. Conserv. Po Box 180. Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573)751-4115.
011 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
012 Missouri Herpetological Association. 1988. Missouri Herpetological Association Newsletter. No. 1
013 Missouri Herpetological Association. 1990. Missouri Herpetolocical Association Newsletter. No. 3. 17 Pp.
014 Collins, J.T. (Ed.). 1990. Standard Common And Current Scientifc Names For North American Amphibians And Reptiles, 3rd Ed. Soc. For The Study Of Amphibians & Reptiles, Herp. Cir. No. 19. 41 Pp.
015 Powell, R., T.R. Johnson & D.D. Smith. 1992. New Records Of Amphibians And Reptiles In Missouri For 1992. Missouri Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 5:6-13
016 Doolan, R. & T.R. Johnson. 1995. Ephemeral Pools: Their Value And Construction. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 6 Pp.
017 Powell, R., T.R. Johnson & D.D. Smith. 1997. New Records Of Amphibians And Reptiles In Missouri For 1997. Mo Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 10:8-12.
018 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2003. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, Jefferson City, Mo. xv + 29 Pp.
019 Anton, T.G., D. Mauger, R.A. Brandon, S.R. Ballard 7 D.M. Stillwaugh, Jr. Distribution, Habitats And Status Of Four-Toed Salamanders In Illinois. Pp. 45-48 In M.J. Lannoo (Ed.). Status And Conservation Of Midwestern Amphibians. Univ. Iowa Press. Iowa City. 507 Pp.
020 Daniel, R.E., B.S. Edmond & T.R. Johnson. 1998. New And Previously Unreported Records Of Amphibians And Reptiles In Missouri For 1998. Mo Herpetol. Assoc. Newsletter 11:8-17.
021 Daniel, R.E. & B.S. Edmond. 2002. Revised county distribution maps of amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 15:16-38.
023 Daniel, R.E., B.S. Edmond and J.T. Briggler. 2009. New herpetological records from Missouri for 2009. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 22:7-9.
024 Daniel, R.E., B.S. Edmond and J.T. Briggler. 2010. New herpetological distribution records for Missouri in 2010. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 23:6-8.
025 Daniel, Richard E., Brian S. Edmond and Jeffrey T. Briggler. 2020. New and previously unreported herpetological distribution records for Missouri in 2020. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 33:3-11.
025 Briggler, Jeffrey T. and Richard E. Daniel. 2020. Addendum: previously unreported county records from the Northwest Missouri State University Herpetology Collection. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 33:12-14.