within Plethodontidae in regards to mating. The mating process consists of courting behavior, the tail straddling walk, sperm deposition in the form of a spermatophore, and insemination. However, the seepage salamander differs in its courtship behavior. As with all other plethodontids, pheromones are secreted by males and are used during the courtship process. Most species use a pulling or snapping behavior. However, only D. aeneus and D. wrighti use biting as a delivery mechanism. These two species physically and directly restrain the females and bite them. The bites can last up to several hours. Then they release pheromones into the bite wounds. Other plethodontids do not directly restrain the females when excreting pheromones. Conservation The seepage salamander is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN because their range is not greater than 20,000 km2 and its habitat and population size is decreasing. The isolation of the different population also increases susceptibility to declines. Seepage salamanders are on the verge of becoming classified as Vulnerable. The species is in decline in Alabama and North Carolina, but is stable in South Carolina. It is listed as in need of management in Tennessee. Logging is a main source of decline within the species, particularly in Alabama. Around half of the populations known in 1976 are now extinct. Other forestry practices, like clear cutting also threaten seepage salamanders. Most populations of seepage salamanders do not occur within protected areas. Therefore, to decrease vulnerability of populations to certain forestry practices, buffers should be set up in susceptible areas around seepages and streams. References Desmognathus Amphibians of the United States Endemic fauna of the United States Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Amphibians described in 1947 Taxa named by Walter Creighton Brown