| Species | Rhyacotriton olympicus Gaige formerly Rhyacotriton olympicus |
| Family | Rhyacotritonidae (Torrent Salamanders) |
| Status | State monitor, Federal Species of Concern |
| State Rank | S3 |
| Global Rank | G3 |
Olympic Torrent Salamander |
(formerly Olympic Salamander) |
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This is a small salamander that rarely exceeds 60 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 brown above and yellow to orange-yellow below. White speckling on the body tends to be more concentrated on the sides. This species generally lacks dark dorsal spotting or blotching, but may have ventral spotting. 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. Eggs have not been found in the wild, suggesting that females hide them well, perhaps in fractured rock or deep in springs. As in other members of the genus, the eggs are thought to be unpigmented, laid singly, and unattached to the substrate. See Photos Page.
The large size of the eyes (eye diameter approximately equal to snout length), relatively short rounded snout and generally prominently yellow component to the belly color 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 pattern, 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.
Olympic Torrent Salamanders may be active year-round, at least at low elevations. The mating season is undocumented for the Olympic Torrent Salamander but may be prolonged, similar to the Cascade Torrent Salamander. Oviposition timing is also undocumented but if similar to other torrent salamanders, may occur in the spring and early summer. If similar to the Southern Torrent Salamander (R. variegatus), the Olympic Torrent Salamander may have a long incubation period, which, based on laboratory observations, lasts 210-290 days at 8° C, longer than any other North American salamander. Similarly, the larval period is thought to be long (> 3 years).
This species is found only on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. Distribution within the range is patchy. See Distribution Map.
Olympic 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 or off-channel habitats that are shallow, slow and that have gravel or rock rubble that is silt-free. 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. Olympic Torrent Salamanders can be common to abundant where they occur.
The Olympic Torrent Salamander is one of relatively few vertebrate species endemic to Washington. The relatively small range and narrow habitat requirements contribute to the species' current status. Mature forests, the optimal habitat for this species, have been reduced by harvests throughout the low-elevation portion of this 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 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. Increases in sedimentation may be particularly problematic for this group.
Leonard et al. (1993), Nijhuis and Kaplan (1998), Nussbaum et al. (1983), Nussbaum and Tait (1977), Petranka (1998), Stebbins and Lowe (1951), Welsh et al. (1998).
Hallock, L.A. and McAllister, K.R. 2005. Olympic Torrent Salamander. Washington Herp Atlas. http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/herp/