Shasta Lake Salamander Areas
Map SatelliteThese several areas include most of the known habitat of the rare Shasta salamander, Hydromantes shastae. The vegetation in the area includes a mixed evergreen forest with Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, gray pine, Pinus sabiniana, black oak, Quercus kelloggii, and canyon oak, Quercus chrysolepis. Chaparral is present on the south-facing slopes.
The rare plant Ageratina shastensis occurs within some of the areas. It is interesting to note that the known distribution of the salamander closely approximates that of the known localities of the Ageratina.
While several underlying rocks are present, both the McCloud limestone dating to the Permian and Hosselkus limestone of the Mid-Triassic are the most relevant. Paleontologically, the area has various fossilized corals and is the type locality of the Mid-Triassic ichthyosaur genus Shastasaurus. This is one of the very few sites in the State where Mid-Triassic reptile fossils have been discovered.
Integrity: Much of the area is relatively undisturbed,
Use: Research, educational, observational. Some private.
Ref: Bury, R. B., et al, 1969. First Records of Plethodon Dunni in California, etc. Herpetol. Vol. 3, Nos. 3-4, pp. 157-161.
March 1978
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman