| Species | Rhyacotriton kezeri Good and Wake formerly Rhyacotriton olympicus |
| Family | Rhyacotritonidae (Torrent Salamanders) |
| Status | State Candidate, Federal Species of Concern |
| State Rank | S3 |
| Global Rank | G3 |
Columbia Torrent Salamander |
(formerly Olympic Salamander) |
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This is a small salamander that rarely exceeds 55 mm snout-vent length. The head is small with a short rounded snout and large prominent eyes. The body is relatively long with short limbs and a short tail. Coloration is beige-brown above and yellow to orange-yellow below. White speckling on the body tends to be more concentrated along the sides. Black speckling also exists, but is very reduced to fine flecking, also mostly along the sides. In general, this species lacks the dark dorsal and ventral spotting or blotching that is prominent in the Cascades Torrent Salamander. Adult males have prominent squared vent lobes, a trait unique to the family and the genus. The larvae have greatly reduced gills and tail fins, well-developed functional limbs, prominent dorsally positioned eyes that do not greatly protrude, and a white (young larvae) to yellow-orange belly. The eggs are unpigmented, laid singly, and not attached to the substate. Females place the eggs in concealed locations (e.g., cracks in rocks) within relatively cold, low (trickling) flow water. More than one female may place eggs in the same area. See Photos Page.
The large size of the eyes (eye diameter approximately equal to snout length), relatively short rounded snout and generally yellow coloration of the belly are features that help distinguish torrent salamanders from other Washington salamanders. Adult male torrent salamanders can be distinguished from all other salamanders by the presence of prominent squared vent lobes. Superficially, metamorphosed torrent salamanders resemble Woodland Salamanders (Plethodon species) and Ensatina, but torrent salamanders lack nasolabial grooves and a constriction at the base of the tail (unique to Ensatina). Torrent salamanders and Rough-skinned Newts have a similar color patter, but differ in overall appearance with newts being stockier, having a thicker skin that is rough (in the terrestrial phase) and lacking costal grooves. Torrent salamander larvae are the only stream-adapted (i.e., small gills and reduced tail fin) larval salamanders in Washington with a yellow to orange belly. The color pattern and morphology of torrent salamander species are similar and variable; therefore, torrent salamander species are best identified by collection locality and how that relates to the documented ranges of each species. Leonard et al. (1993) provide more details on color pattern differences between torrent salamander species. See Key Features Page.
Columbia torrent salamanders are active year-round. The mating season is poorly documented for the Columbia Torrent Salamander but may be prolonged, similar to the Cascade Torrent Salamander. Oviposition timing is also poorly documented but probably occurs in the spring and early summer. Based on laboratory observations, torrent salamander species may have the longest incubation period of any North American salamander, lasting 210-290 days at 8° C. The larval period is also suspected of being long, as the related Southern Torrent Salamander (R. variegatus) has a larval period of approximately 3.5 years.
Distribution in Washington is restricted to the Willapa Hills from the Chehalis River south to the Columbia River, west of the I-5 corridor. Distribution within the range is patchy. See Distribution Map.
For information on the complete range of this species, see NatureServe Explorer.
Columbia Torrent Salamanders inhabit relatively cold, permanent streams, seepages and waterfall splash zones, typically in areas with a thick canopy cover. They usually occur in stream segments that are shallow, slow flowing and that have gravel or rock rubble with low levels of silt. Association with rock is also typical in seepages and waterfall splash zones. Larvae are fully aquatic. Adults are strongly associated with water and individuals are almost always found in contact with either free water or saturated substratum. During rainy wet periods, individuals may be found in wet terrestrial forest settings away from streams or seepages. Columbia Torrent Salamanders can be common to abundant where they occur; they are frequently the most common amphibian in the headwater landscape.
The relatively small range and narrow habitat requirements contribute to the species' current status. Mature forests, the optimal habitat for this species, have been greatly reduced by frequent harvest intervals over much of the species' range.
Distribution and natural history should continue to be investigated. Habitat affinities for larval and adult salamanders, especially egg-laying habitat, need to be better understood. Research is needed on the effects of roads and logging on population persistence. Research addressing the seasonal movement patterns, especially the recolonization abilities of this species, is also needed.
Management activities that alter the hydrology, water temperature or integrity of small streams, headwaters and seeps are reported to cause density declines in other torrent salamander species, but preliminary data on this species suggest that they tolerate alteration better than other torrent salamander species (Rhyacotriton species). Increases in sedimentation that may be particularly problematic for other torrent salamander species may be less problematic for this species.
Leonard et al. (1993), Nijhuis and Kaplan (1998), Nussbaum et al. (1983), Nussbaum and Tait (1977), Petranka (1998), Stebbins and Lowe (1951), Welsh and Lind 1996.
Personal communications: Marc Hayes
Hallock, L.A. and McAllister, K.R. 2005. Columbia Torrent Salamander. Washington Herp Atlas. http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/herp/