Distribution and Habitat of Utilization of the Four-toed Salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum, in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas

Four-toed salamanders in Arkansas represent a disjunct population separated from their main range in the eastern United States and Canada. Until recently, the distribution of this species was documented by a few individual specimens collected or observed from widely spaced localities which has resulted in its being considered rare and vulnerable. Recent investigations of distribution and habitat utilization indicate this species may be more common than previously believed, but also reaffirms the need to protect riparian habitat, springs, ponds, woodland seeps and other preferred, moist habitats containing mossy areas used as primary egg deposition sites