Further studies on Ouachita Plethodon

[FrogEyes]

Recent studies have suggested that the Ouachita slimy salamanders currently named Plethodon fourchensis and P.ouachitae likely consist of as many as seven distinct species, each restricted to a particular mountain, altitude, and microclimate. While not yet split, another study has been published which documents and compares the potential physical differences between populations of these animals:

http://www.naherpetology.org/pdf_files/1846.pdf
Shepard, Donald B., Kelly J. Irwin, and Frank T. Burbrink. Morphological Differentiation in Ouachita Mountain Endemic Salamanders. Herpetologica. 67(4): pp. 355-368.

Previous papers on the subject can be obtained here:
Don's publications