Plethodon kentucki Mittleman, 1951

Common Name & Taxonomic Classification

Plethodon kentucki, commonly called the Cumberland Plateau salamander, is a medium to large-sized terrestrial plethodontid salamander.

Similarity to Sympatric Species

It shares similar appearance and life history with the Northern slimy salamander, and the two species are sympatric.

Morphological Distinctions

However, the Cumberland Plateau salamander has a slimmer body shape, and it has a light-colored chin located above the gular fold, while local slimy salamanders have dark chins.

Initial Formal Description

This species was first formally described in 1951.

Taxonomic Validity History

Its status as a valid species was questioned in 1955, and it was not confirmed as a valid species until 1983.

Hybridization Patterns

It likely hybridizes with Plethodon glutinosus, and hybridization is common between this species and other members of the slimy salamander complex.

Geographic Distribution

It is distributed across the Cumberland Plateau in eastern Kentucky, western West Virginia, northern Tennessee, and western Virginia, and does not occur east of the Kanawha and New rivers.