Reproduction and Age Composition of a Population of Woodland Salamanders (Plethodon albagula) After a Prescribed Burn in Southwestern Arkansas

Milanovich, Joseph R.; Trauth, Stanley E.; Saugey, David A.

doi:10.1894/f05-pas-20.1

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Within these forested habitats, salamander abundance is greatest in moist, forested ravines . Surface activity varies seasonally, with peak activity occurring in spring and to a lesser extent during autumn (Milanovich et al 2011); terrestrial plethodontid salamanders generally seek subterranean refuge during hot, dry summer conditions (Taub 1961).…”

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial variation in water loss predicts terrestrial salamander distribution and population dynamics

Peterman

Semlitsch

2014

Oecologia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Many patterns observed in ecology, such as species richness, life history variation, habitat use, and distribution, have physiological underpinnings. For many ectothermic organisms, temperature relationships shape these patterns, but for terrestrial amphibians, water balance may supersede temperature as the most critical physiologically limiting factor. Many amphibian species have little resistance to water loss, which restricts them to moist microhabitats, and may significantly affect foraging, dispersal, and courtship. Using plaster models as surrogates for terrestrial plethodontid salamanders (Plethodon albagula), we measured water loss under ecologically relevant field conditions to estimate the duration of surface activity time across the landscape. Surface activity time was significantly affected by topography, solar exposure, canopy cover, maximum air temperature, and time since rain. Spatially, surface activity times were highest in ravine habitats and lowest on ridges. Surface activity time was a significant predictor of salamander abundance, as well as a predictor of successful recruitment; the probability of a juvenile salamander occupying an area with high surface activity time was two times greater than an area with limited predicted surface activity. Our results suggest that survival, recruitment, or both are demographic processes that are affected by water loss and the ability of salamanders to be surface-active. Results from our study extend our understanding of plethodontid salamander ecology, emphasize the limitations imposed by their unique physiology, and highlight the importance of water loss to spatial population dynamics. These findings are timely for understanding the effects that fluctuating temperature and moisture conditions predicted for future climates will have on plethodontid salamanders.

show abstract

Section: Study Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial variation in water loss predicts terrestrial salamander distribution and population dynamics

Peterman

Semlitsch

2014

Oecologia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Review: Abandoned mines as a resource or liability for wildlife

Grajal-Puche,

Driver,

Propper

2024

Science of The Total Environment

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Spatial variation in water loss predicts terrestrial salamander distribution and population dynamics

Peterman

Semlitsch

2014

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

25Many patterns observed in ecology, such as species richness, life history variation, 26 habitat use, and distribution have physiological underpinnings For many ectothermic 27 organisms temperature relations shape these patterns, but for terrestrial amphibians, 28 water balance may supersede temperature as the most critical physiologically-limiting 29 factor. Many amphibian species have little resistance to water loss, which restricts 30 them to moist microhabitats and may significantly affect foraging, dispersal, and 31 courtship. Using plaster models as surrogates for terrestrial plethodontid salamanders, 32we measured water loss under ecologically-relevant field conditions to estimate the 33 duration of surface activity time across the landscape. Surface activity time was 34 significantly affected by topography, solar exposure, canopy cover, maximum air 35 temperature, and time since rain. Spatially, surface activity times were highest in 36 ravine habitats and lowest on ridges. Surface activity time was a significant predictor 37 of salamander abundance, as well as a predictor of successful recruitment; the 38 probability of a juvenile salamander occupying an area with high surface activity time 39 was two times greater than an area with limited predicted surface activity. Our results 40 suggest that survival, recruitment, or both are demographic processes that are affected 41 by water loss and the ability of salamanders to be surface active. Results from our 42 study extend our understanding of plethodontid salamander ecology, emphasize the 43 limitations imposed by their unique physiology, and highlight the importance of water 44 loss to spatial population dynamics. These findings are timely to understanding the 45 effects that fluctuating temperature and moisture conditions predicted for future 46 climates will have on plethodontid salamanders. 47

show abstract

Reproduction and Age Composition of a Population of Woodland Salamanders (Plethodon albagula) After a Prescribed Burn in Southwestern Arkansas

Cited by 3 publications

References 37 publications

Spatial variation in water loss predicts terrestrial salamander distribution and population dynamics

Spatial variation in water loss predicts terrestrial salamander distribution and population dynamics

Review: Abandoned mines as a resource or liability for wildlife

Spatial variation in water loss predicts terrestrial salamander distribution and population dynamics

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About