Spring salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 7
Habitat
Habitat definition
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus is mainly associated with cool and clear water streams of forested, mountainous regions (Weller 1977). The species has been also found in various other situations: streams in open areas, ponds, lake edges, peat habitats and caves (Brandon 1967c; DeGraaf and Rudis 1983).
Permanent streams are required for the development of the aquatic larvae, which need well-oxygenated water for aquatic respiration (Hairston 1987). Foraging activity of terrestrial adults requires moist, cool environments, because skin respiration limits the tolerance of lungless salamanders for desiccation (Spotila 1972; Feder 1983). Cover objects are thus important microhabitat features for adults (Bonin 1991a). During summer, adults are usually found at the edges of streams, underneath large flat rocks in the vicinity of water (Barbour 1971; pers. obs.).
Wintering habitats are probably underground wet cavities (Bishop 1941) or unfrozen springs (pers. obs. of larvae). At our latitude, streams can freeze deeply if not fed with underground spring water. Freezing tolerance has not been documented for this species (K. Storey pers. comm.)
Forest cover is a key habitat feature (Bonin 1991a), providing suitable cover and humidity for adults to forage around the stream. It would also shade the stream, preventing the warming of the water. It also plays a role in filtering runoff, avoiding siltation of the stream bed used for foraging by salamander larvae (Bury 1980; Bonin 1991a).
Gyrinophilus porphyriticus is usually found in uphill areas (Bonin 1991a) with greatest numbers in headwater springs and portions of streams bedded with flat rock, particularly limestone (pers. obs.; Bishop 1941). Small headwater streams free of predatory fish support larger populations of spring salamanders (Resetarits 1995). Springs in rock outcrop areas may also provide suitable wintering conditions. Furthermore, limestone crevices would offer shelter for young larvae, avoiding predation from fish and from cannibalism by larger larvae (Resetarits 1995).
Habitat trends
The forest has been eliminated over large parts of the southern Quebec lowlands and water drainage has been modified to favor agriculture. This may have affected populations located in the foothill areas at the margin of the species' range. In mountainous regions where most of the actual localities are, forest cutting has been the major habitat modification. Although this may not result in the loss of habitats, it may have altered habitat quality and affected population survival. Over the last few decades, development of housing (cottages, condominiums) and recreation centers (ski slopes, golf course) has increased in the Appalachian region of Quebec. This has probably affected the quality of the habitat in several regions, especially around Mounts Shefford, Brome, Orford, and Sutton.
Habitat protection
The provincial regulation on forestry practices includes the protection of a 20 m wide buffer zone along water courses (Anonymous 1986). However, high quality stream habitats represented by the smaller headwater springs are often overlooked by foresters.
The Mount Orford Provincial Park (5,840 ha) secures habitats of the species within the Appalachian range. There is a record from Yamaska Provincial Park (1290 ha) but there are few suitable habitats within the park's limits. A record from the lake on Mount Shefford is within the protected area of a water reservoir used by the municipality of Granby. Gyrinophilus porphyriticus was also found in the vicinity of the Ruiter Valley Land Trust, a 170 ha private conservation area protecting suitable habitats in the Sutton Mountains.