Talladega seal salamander

The Talladega seal salamander (Desmognathus cheaha) is a mid-sized stream-dwelling plethodontid salamander native to the Southeastern United States. This species was split from the common seal salamander (Desmognathus monticola) in 2022.^[1]

Talladega seal salamander
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Urodela
Family:	Plethodontidae
Subfamily:	Plethodontinae
Genus:	Desmognathus
Species:	D. cheaha
Binomial name
Desmognathus cheaha Pyron and Beamer, 2023

Distribution and habitat

The Talladega seal salamander can be found in the U.S. States of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. This species occurs in the Ridge & Valley, Piedmont, and Coastal/Southeastern Plains physiographic provinces, in contrast with Desmognathus monticola, which predominantly occurs in the Appalachian highlands.^[1] The only known population in Florida is believed to have undergone a dramatic population decline, and may be extirpated, after nearby logging activities impacted stream habitat.^[2]

The Talladega seal salamander occurs in streams throughout its range. Populations in the Coastal Plain appear to be restricted to high-gradient streams and microhabitats in contact with rock and flowing water.^[3][1]