Project OverviewDuring the Spring of 2018, the Radford University Field Biology & Phenology class (BIOL 481) established and/or participated in multiple field studies that sought to monitor seasonal changes in plant and animal communities in Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains. One of our ongoing spring monitoring projects targeted the diversity and population dynamics of terrestrial salamander populations.
We sought to determine the abiotic factors that influence salamander densities in sinkhole and ephemeral wetland habitats. We used passive traps to observe and collect data on present salamander species seeking to answer a few questions such as: 1) What salamander species are present? 2) How abundant are these species? 3) How is the activity and behavior of these animals influenced by seasonal changes? |
Photos by RU Appalachian Herpetology Flickr
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The Appalachian Mountains’ are among the most biologically diverse regions in the temperate world. The varying topography, elevation, and climate have allowed for both a variety and abundance of plant and animal species. More salamander species exist here than perhaps anywhere else on earth, some areas have densities as high as 2 salamanders per square meter! Because of this the Appalachians are considered a global salamander biodiversity hotspot.
Salamanders are very interesting and unique animals. As one of the most abundant vertebrate species groups in the Southern Appalachians, salamanders are amongst the most vital components in ecological processes. They act as predators to many invertebrates and are prey for reptiles, mammals, birds, and even larger salamanders, giving them an important role in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems around the world. Unlike most vertebrate species, most terrestrial salamanders are lungless and breathe through their skin which makes them highly susceptible to environmental change. Because of this, salamanders are a prime biological indicator species for monitoring seasonal changes. |
Plethodontid Salamanders
The Appalachians are home to many different salamander species and most of them belong to the family Plethodontidae. Plethodontid salamanders are really unique creatures because they have no lungs! That’s right, all of their air exchange happens through their semi-permeable skin which must be moist at all times so it can absorb oxygen. These lungless salamanders can range anywhere from 1 inch to a massive 14 inches in length and have evolved to occupy a variety of woodland and wetland habitats.
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Conservation IssuesBecause salamanders are so sensitive to changes in their surroundings it makes them highly susceptible to imposing threats, both environmental and man-made, such as habitat loss, disease, pollution, and climate change sending these animals into a global decline. Currently, close to half of the world’s salamander species are listed as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Habitat Loss in the Appalachias
One of the biggest threats salamanders, and wildlife in general, are facing in the Appalachias is habitat loss. Large portions of the region have been altered by the results of human land use practices such as deforestation and pollution due to agriculture, logging, coal mining, urbanization, roads etc. Other Concerns
There are other factors contributing to salamander species decline such as road mortality, water modification, feral cats, and even human cruelty. |