Arboreal Ecology of Plethodontidae: A Review

Macroevolution of desiccation‐related morphology in plethodontid salamanders as inferred from a novel surface area to volume ratio estimation approach

“…Because of its role in desiccation and respiration, SA:V has been implicated as the basis of numerous ecological patterns observed in the family Plethodontidae. For instance, McEntire (2016) and McEntire and Maerz (2019) suggested that SA:V correlates negatively with the frequency and duration of climbing behavior. Differences across juvenile and adult dispersal, microhabitat use, surface activity, and physiology are also thought to be driven by the ontogeny of decreasing SA:V across life stages (Sattler and Reichenbach 1998;Rittenhouse et al 2004;Riedel et al 2012;Peterman and Semlitch 2014).…”

Constricted spatiotemporal foraging of the regenerating salamander, Bolitoglossa mombachoensis

“…). Unlike terrestrial salamanders, some arboreal species are entirely dependent on arboreal plant communities (McEntire ). According to the IUCN, habitat loss continues to be the biggest threat to amphibians worldwide, it makes up the bulk of all documented amphibian extinctions, and therefore, habitat conservation remains a priority (Wren et al.…”

“…). Logging, species invasion, and land development are linked to loss of salamander microhabitats (McEntire ). Plants associated with arboreal salamander foraging are of critical interest and require attention.…”

“…Plethodontids have diverse habitats ranging from terrestrial to freshwater, but the bulk exists within forests (Petranka 1998, Blankers et al 2012. Canopy communities within the tropics are hubs for biodiversity, and many tropical plethodontids have a foraging preference for epiphytic plants, such as bromeliads, which provide moist microclimates for shelter, foraging, and nesting (McEntire 2016). Studies performed in Central America have significantly contributed to the understanding of amphibian decline, massmortality events, and conservation (Whitfield et al 2016).…”

“…Studies performed in Central America have significantly contributed to the understanding of amphibian decline, massmortality events, and conservation (Whitfield et al 2016). Unlike terrestrial salamanders, some arboreal species are entirely dependent on arboreal plant communities (McEntire 2016). According to the IUCN, habitat loss continues to be the biggest threat to amphibians worldwide, it makes up the bulk of all documented amphibian extinctions, and therefore, habitat conservation remains a priority (Wren et al 2015).…”