Description: Gyrinophilus subterraneus can be diagnosed based on its larger size, having a maximum larval snout-vent length of 112 mm; smaller eyes, with an eye diameter to snout-vent length ratio of 0.015 to 9.031; greater postorbital head width, with a head width to head length ratio of 0.80 to 1.03; and the presence of two or three irregular rows of pale spots running laterally. Transformed G. subterraneus adult has smaller eyes with a ratio of eye diameter to snout-vent length of 0.023 to 0.031, paler coloration, and indistinct canthus rostralis. Lastly, large larval and transformed adult G. subterraneus lose their sight, showing little or no optomotor response. Gyrinophilus porphyriticus larvae and adults consistently respond to visual stimuli.

Habitat: It lives in cave stream passages with large amounts of decaying organic matter.

Range: The salamander is only found in the General Davis Cave in Greenbrier County

Found in these States: WV

Diet: West Virginia spring salamanders are considered generalist predators that feed mainly on small invertebrates found in the General Davis Cave stream and on its banks

Reproduction: Poorly known. Not paedomorphic.

Status: Listed as Critically Endangered because its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy are only 4 km2, it occurs in one threat-defined location, and there is continuing decline in the number of mature individuals detected in ongoing surveys.

Taxonomy: