Southern Indiana
Growing up in southern Indiana, the karst landscape made caves quite common and readily accessible. I had the opportunity to explore many caves across this region, and was even lucky to discover some new ones. Unfortunately, these caves are not blessed with a diversity of herpetofauna; instead, they tend to have a predictable array of species that you find in caves across the eastern United States. Pictured below are two of these species, the pickerel frog (Rana palustris) and cave salamander (Eurycea lucifuga). These are not cave obligates and tend to be found anywhere karst occurs on the landscape, but in winter they often retreat deeper underground or into caves where temperatures are stable.
Other species commonly observed in Indiana caves include northern slimy salamanders (Plethodon glutinosus), long-tailed salamanders (Eurycea longicauda), and northern dusky salamanders (Desmognathus fuscus)
Further northeast, in the greater Knoxville area, a lesser-known and far more range-restricted species occurs: the Berry Cave Salamander (Gyrinophilus gulolineatus). This species is known from fewer than a dozen caves, and of these localities, only a few are known to sustain robust populations. Fortunately for the salamanders, all known sites are protected by physical barriers and dutiful landowners. Pictured at right is a view from within one of the known caves for this species, along with a very large adult G. gulolineatus. What a privilege to be able to observe this special species in its natural habitat!
The Cumberland Plateau, particularly where it overlaps with the TAG region (Tennessee/Alabama/Georgia) is a hotspot for cave biodiversity. This is reflected in the salamanders as well, with a couple species being endemic to caves in this region.
The most common and widespread of these species is the Tennessee cave salamander (Gyrinophilus palleucus). This species occurs in a number of caves across all three states, where it inhabits rocky subterranean streams. Pictured at left is a locality for this species, along with an individual representing the nominate subspecies (G. p. palleucus).
Cumberland Plateau
Floridan Acquifer
The Floridan Aquifer, specifically where it overlaps with the Marianna Lowlands (Florida) and Dougherty Plain (Georgia), forms the habitat and range for the Georgia Blind Salamander (Eurycea wallacei). This species used to be placed in its own genus (Haediotriton), but was found to be deeply nested within Eurycea ,and the genus was therefore synonymized.
Eurycea wallacei inhabits caves with direct access to the Floridan Aquifer, which greatly limits the number of caves where this species can be observed. Many localities for this species require scuba diving equipment, but luckily not all. Pictured at right is a look inside a known cave for this species, along with one of several individuals I was lucky enough to observe.
