Entrapment of the California Tiger Salamander in Technogenic Structures As a Confounding Stressor for a Threatened Species

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Entrapment of the California Tiger Salamander in Technogenic Structures As a Confounding Stressor for a Threatened Species 274 ARTICLES of the mole salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum). Can. J. Zool. tilmAn, d., j. KnoPS, d. wEdin, P. rEiCH, m. ritCHiE, And E. SiEmAnn. 1997. 59:315–322. The influence of functional diversity and composition on ecosys- ———. 1983. Burrowing ability and behavior of salamanders of the tem processes. Science 277:1300–1302. genus Ambystoma. Can. J. Zool. 61:616–620. uriAn, K., A. GorGonE, A. rEAd, b. bAlmEr, r. wEllS, Et Al. 2014. Rec- ———. 1998. Biological delineation of terrestrial buffer zones for ommendations for photo-identification methods used in capture- pond-breeding salamanders. Conserv. Biol. 12:1113–1119. recapture models with cetaceans. Mar. Mamm. Sci. 31:298–321. Simon, t. P., r. jAnKowSKi, And C. morriS. 2000. Modification of an index VAN HORNE, B. 1983. Density as a misleading indicator of habitat qual- of biotic integrity for assessing vernal ponds and small palustrine ity. J. Wildl. Manag. 47:893–901. wetlands using fish, crayfish, and amphibian assemblages along VAnni, m. j. 2002. Nutrient cycling by animals in freshwater ecosys- southern Lake Michigan. Aquat. Ecosyst. Health Manag. 3:407– tems. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 33:341–370. 418. WAKE, D. B. 1991. Declining amphibian populations. Science 253:860. SmitH, C. K., And j. w. PEtrAnKA. 2000. Monitoring terrestrial salaman- wAlKEr, b. H. 1992. Biodiversity and ecological redundancy. Conserv. ders: Repeatability and validity of area-constrained cover object Biol. 6:18–23. searches. J. Herpetol. 34:547–557. wAnG, y., And d. K. moSKoVitS. 2001. Tracking fragmentation of natural SpeybroECK, j., And K. StEEnHoudt. 2017. A pattern-based tool for long- communities and changes in land cover: Applications of Landsat term, large-sample capture-mark-recapture studies of fire sala- data for conservation in an urban landscape (Chicago Wilder- manders Salamandra species (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandri- ness). Conserv. Biol. 15:835–843. dae). Acta Herpetol.12:55–63. WARREN, R. J., A. LABATORE, AND M. CANDEIAS. 2017. Allelopathic invasive SPyrEAS, G. 2016. Scale and sampling effects on floristic quality. PLoS tree (Rhamnus cathartica) alters native plant communities. Plant ONE 11:e0160693. Ecol. 218:1233–1241. Sullivan, j. 2003. An Atlas of Biodiversity. Chicago Wilderness, Chi- wErnEr, P. A., i. K. brAdbury, And r. S. GroSS. 1980. The biology of Cana- cago, Illinois. 66 pp. dian weeds. 45. Solidago canadensis L. Can. J. Plant Sci. 60:1393– SWINK, F., AND G. WILHELM. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region. 4th ed. 1409. Indiana Academy of Science, Indianapolis. 936 pp. wHitloCK. m. C., And d. SCHlutEr. 2009. The Analysis of Biological tAFt, j., G. wilHElm, d. lAdd, And l. mAStErS. 1997. Floristic quality as- Data. Roberts and Company Publishers, Greenwood Village, Colo- sessment for vegetation in Illinois: A method for assessing vegeta- rado. 704 pp. tion integrity. Erigenia 1977:3–95. tAllAmy, d. w. 2004. Do alien plants reduce insect biomass? Conserv. Biol. 18:1689–1692. Herpetological Review, 2021, 52(2), 274–278. © 2021 by Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles An Unanticipated Ecological Trap: Entrapment of the California Tiger Salamander in Technogenic Structures as a Confounding Stressor for a Threatened Species Numerous wildlife species have been captured or collected JEFF A. ALVAREZ in natural and manmade ecological traps throughout the The Wildlife Project, PO Box 188888 Sacramento, California 95818, USA world (Hawken 1951; Brattstrom 1953; Delibes et al. 2001; JAYMEE T. MARTY Villa et al. 2018). The Rancho La Brea tar pits in Los Angeles Marty Environmental Consulting, Inc., 8925 Lanier Way, County, California, provide a prime example of a natural trap, Sacramento, California 95826, USA where millions of specimens and approximately 600 species KIRSTEN CHRISTOPHERSON were trapped in naturally occurring tar pits and have been United States Air Force, Travis Installation Support Section, preserved (Brattstrom 1953). Sites like Rancho La Brea collect 550 Hickam Drive, Building 248, indiscriminately, and mortality to individuals is nearly certain Travis Air Force Base, California 94535, USA (Brattstrom 1953). These sites appear to represent natural PENN CRAIG Natural Resource Manager, United States Air Force, 411 Airman Drive, habitats (i.e., aquatic features, retreat sites, etc.) to which B-570, Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, California 94535, USA species would normally be attracted (Lemon and Churcher DEANNE WEBER 1971; Churcher 1966; Campbell 1979). Delibes et al. (2001) Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, characterized these natural sites as attractive sinks and believed Colorado State University, 110 University Ave., that this maladaptive selection of habitat or microhabitat is Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA likely rare or goes unreported for most species. A more recent CHRISTOPHER VANG suite of potential population sinks is the ecological trap, whereby 8480 Orchard Creek Way, Elk Grove, California 95624, USA an individual or species mistakenly selects suboptimal habitat for its preferred habitat (Hale and Swearer 2010; Sih 2013). They Herpetological Review 52(2), 2021 ARTICLES 275 FIG. 1. A) Typical two-piece lid for communication vaults at Travis Air Force Base. Note the gap (up to 22 mm) between the two concrete lid structures. To open, lids slide to left and right. B) Open communication vault. Note that the vault has fiberglass interior that is straight sided, and approximately 1.5 m deep. C) Vault lid after the poly foam caulk saver was inserted into the gap and the patch and seal tape is applied. A small sign covered by clear patch and seal tape was added to remind maintenance staff that the vault should be resealed after opening. further include a subset of these traps as human-induced rapid at the surface may ultimately result in temporary or permanent environmental changes (Robertson et al. 2013; Sih 2013; Wong sequestration of individuals who find technogenic traps and Candolin 2015), herein referred to as technogenic traps. unintentionally (Delibes et al 2001). Ultimately, this may cause Since the beginning of the Holocene, artificial structures direct mortality, or a localized reduction in recruitment or built by humans have created technogenic traps for wildlife. Villa reproduction for species or individuals that choose maladaptive et al. (2018) reported that a 2,000-year-old Roman well collected microhabitat. reptiles and amphibians, acting more or less like a large pitfall In California there are myriad ground-level structures trap. At least 11 taxa have been identified from excavations that migrating amphibians may be required to navigate over within this well. Modern technogenic structures are also known or around, including temporary excavations, storm drains, to collect and trap wildlife. Doody et al. (2003) conducted daily roadside curbs, erosion control waddles, and numerous other inspections of 800 km of open pipeline trenches in Australia objects and obstructions. Herein we report on the observations over a two-year period and recorded 7,438 individuals from of a threatened amphibian—California Tiger Salamander 103 vertebrate species that were trapped in the trenches. (Ambystoma californiense)—as well as numerous sympatric Many technogenic traps have been reported for herpetofauna, species that were observed entrapped in technogenic structures including wells, storm drains, railroad lines, construction on an Air Force Base in central California. trenches, and other structures (Enge et al. 1996; Stuart et al. 2001; Kornilev et al. 2006; Manning 2007; Garcia-Caretenete et al. 2014; MATERIALS AND METHODS Villa et al. 2018). Unlike the single well site reported by Villa et al. (2018) and temporary excavation reported by Enge et al. (1996), Travis Air Force Base (Base) is an active military installation McInroy and Rose (2015) reported that roadside street drains, where cargo planes are stationed. The Base is located south of which are extremely numerous and distributed widely around Fairfield, California on flat terrain, with approximately 30 percent their site in the United Kingdom, were a long-term and common of the land on the Base covered by industrial, commercial, and technogenic traps for amphibians. residential structures. The remaining land is covered by non- In their daily or seasonal search for dark and thermally stable native annual grassland, seasonal and perennial wetlands microhabitat, reptiles and amphibians may find themselves and woodland habitat, with the southern portion of the Base entrapped (Lovich et al. 2011). This may become more common occupied by an airfield (i.e., two 4-km-long paved runways) among species that make mass migrations, like bi-phasic and associated infrastructure. Surrounding the runways is an amphibians, in that their seasonally abundant movements may expansive annual grassland with numerous vernal pools and offer more opportunity to encounter a technogenic trap. Frogs, other wetland features that extend well beyond the boundaries toads, and salamanders often make seasonal movements from of the Base. At least 14 special-status species utilize the Base for upland refuge habitat to reproductive sites (e.g., ponds and part or all of their natural history, including, but not limited to creeks), and then return to upland refugia (i.e., burrows, rock the State and federally threatened California Tiger Salamander, cracks, beneath logs, etc.) for the majority of the year (Stebbins federally threatened Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp (Brachinecta 1951). This above ground movement
Recommended publications
  • Herpetological Journal FULL PAPER
    Volume 29 (April 2019), 71-81 Herpetological Journal FULL PAPER https://doi.org/10.33256/hj29.2.7181 Published by the British Predicting Ambystoma ordinarium distribution under differentHerpetological Society climate scenarios in central Mexico Rafael Hernández-Guzmán1, Luis H. Escalera-Vázquez2 & Ireri Suazo-Ortuño3 1CONACYT – Instituto de Investigaciones sobre los Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. Morelia, Michoacán, México 2Laboratorio de Biología Acuática, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, edificio R, planta baja, Ciudad Universitaria. Morelia, Michoacán, México 3Instituto de Investigaciones sobre los Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. Morelia, Michoacán, México Global climate change represents one of the most important threats to wildlife populations. Amphibians, specifically salamanders, are particularly susceptible to the effects of a changing climate due to their restrictive physiological requirements and low vagility; however, little is known about which amphibian species are more vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, we aimed to forecast changes in the distribution of the mountain stream salamander, Ambystoma ordinarium, using different climate scenarios. Approximately 70 representative presence records were selected to model the current potential distribution and two scenarios based on 2070 climate projections (RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5) using the MaxEnt algorithm and three global climate models (BCC-CSM1-1, CCSM4 and HadGEM2-ES). A total of three scenarios were simulated using the 10-percentile training presence as the threshold rule. For all scenarios, the average of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the replicated runs was greater than 0.95 ± 0.005, representing good performance for the current and projected geographical distributions of A.
    [Show full text]
  • Successful Reproduction of the Mole Salamander Ambystoma Talpoideum in Captivity, with an Emphasis on Stimuli Environmental Determinants
    SHORT NOTE The Herpetological Bulletin 141, 2017: 28-31 Successful reproduction of the mole salamander Ambystoma talpoideum in captivity, with an emphasis on stimuli environmental determinants AXEL HERNANDEZ Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, University Pasquale Paoli of Corsica, Corte, 20250, France Author Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT - Generating and promoting evidence-based husbandry protocols for urodeles, commonly known as newts and salamanders, is urgently needed because most of the up-to-date ex situ programs are focused on frogs and toads than Urodela. Data on biology, life history, ecology and environmental parameters are lacking for many species and are needed to establish suitable husbandry and breeding conditions in captive environments. Two adult females and two adult males, of the mole salamander Ambystoma talpoideum successfully reproduced in captivity. It was found that reproduction of this species depends on various complex stimuli: including natural photoperiod 12:12, rainwater (acidic to neutral pH) and an aquarium full of various debris. Additionally high temperature variations ranging from 2 °C to 17 °C (a decrease followed by an increase) between November and February showed that it is possible to breed adults in aquariums provided the right stimuli are applied at the right moment of time in winter. A. talpoideum shows an explosive breeding mode as previously reported for the whole genus Ambystoma. INTRODUCTION with an emphasis on the environmental determinant stimuli involved. These data may assist in improving breeding these ince the 1980s, the current global amphibian extinction salamanders under artificial conditions. crisis has been discussed and acknowledged (Wake, A.
    [Show full text]
  • The Salamanders of Tennessee
    Salamanders of Tennessee: modified from Lisa Powers tnwildlife.org Follow links to Nongame The Salamanders of Tennessee Photo by John White Salamanders are the group of tailed, vertebrate animals that along with frogs and caecilians make up the class Amphibia. Salamanders are ectothermic (cold-blooded), have smooth glandular skin, lack claws and must have a moist environment in which to live. 1 Amphibian Declines Worldwide, over 200 amphibian species have experienced recent population declines. Scientists have reports of 32 species First discovered in 1967, the golden extinctions, toad, Bufo periglenes, was last seen mainly species of in 1987. frogs. Much attention has been given to the Anurans (frogs) in recent years, however salamander populations have been poorly monitored. Photo by Henk Wallays Fire Salamander - Salamandra salamandra terrestris 2 Why The Concern For Salamanders in Tennessee? Their key role and high densities in many forests The stability in their counts and populations Their vulnerability to air and water pollution Their sensitivity as a measure of change The threatened and endangered status of several species Their inherent beauty and appeal as a creature to study and conserve. *Possible Factors Influencing Declines Around the World Climate Change Habitat Modification Habitat Fragmentation Introduced Species UV-B Radiation Chemical Contaminants Disease Trade in Amphibians as Pets *Often declines are caused by a combination of factors and do not have a single cause. Major Causes for Declines in Tennessee Habitat Modification -The destruction of natural habitats is undoubtedly the biggest threat facing amphibians in Tennessee. Housing, shopping center, industrial and highway construction are all increasing throughout the state and consequently decreasing the amount of available habitat for amphibians.
    [Show full text]
  • Ambystoma Macrodactylum Croceum)
    Ecology & conservation of the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) A workshop on the natural history, ecology, and conservation of a critically-endangered species Wesley K. Savage, Ph.D. Department of Biological Sciences University of Massachusetts, Lowell [email protected] Workshop Goals 1. Explain key elements of SCLTS biology and life history 2. Review the regional landscape and areas where SCLTS is most likely to be found 3. Different life stages, timing of key life history events 4. Discuss effective sampling strategies 5. Discuss the complexities of conserving the species when habitat loss is increasing – irony 6. Provide an open forum for question and discussion 7. Conduct a field exercise in detection methods & mitigation design In general, we will cover: What a long-toed salamander is How it got here, where it lives, and what it does How to identify it How to identify habitat and detect presence Why it is endangered and how it is being managed, as well as prospects for recovery Workshop Outline I. Biogeographic history of the long-toed salamander and how the SC lineage arose II. Ecology and life history III. Surveying, monitoring, & management IV. Threats, mitigation approaches V. Practical conservation & recovery I. History through biogeographic origins Taxonomy and basic biology Diversity, distribution, evolution, and rarity Objective: understand why SCLTS is so rare and unique The history of SCLTS begins with biogeography and long-range colonization followed by divergence in allopatry It ends in
    [Show full text]
  • Marbled Salamander Ambystoma Opacum
    Natural Heritage Marbled Salamander & Endangered Species Ambystoma opacum Program State Status: Threatened www.mass.gov/nhesp Federal Status: None Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife DESCRIPTION: The Marbled Salamander is a stout, medium-sized salamander with a stocky body, short limbs, and a broad, rounded snout. Dorsal coloration is black, marked with bold, variably-shaped grayish to whitish crossbands that create a “marbled” pattern from head to tail. Lateral and ventral coloration is uniformly dark gray to black. Banding on the mid- to upper dorsum tends to be bright white in mature males and dull gray in mature females. Banding on the tail can be white in both sexes, or gray in females. Total length is 3–5 inches. Marbled Salamander Photo by Lloyd Gamble larvae collected from the wild will transform to a light- olive color when kept in a light-colored container. Albino/leucistic larvae have been documented in Massachusetts on at least two occasions. Recently transformed juveniles (metamorphs) have a Distribution in Massachusetts base color of brown to black and are marked with light, 1990 - 2015 Based on records in silvery flecks that become more pronounced and Natural Heritage Database aggregated over the dorsum during the first several weeks post-metamorphosis. As the animal matures during the following 1–2 months, the markings elongate Recently hatched larvae are dark brown to blackish in to form the characteristic marbled pattern of an adult. coloration and measure approximately half-an-inch in total length. Throughout development, they have bushy, SIMILAR SPECIES: Adult Marbled Salamanders external gills, a broad head, a long caudal fin that cannot be confused with any other species in extends onto the back, and a row of bright-white spots Massachusetts.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue-Spotted Salamander Natural Heritage Ambystoma Laterale & Endangered Species Program State Status: Threatened (Pop
    Blue-spotted Salamander Natural Heritage Ambystoma laterale & Endangered Species Program State Status: Threatened (Pop. 2; Bristol/Plymouth counties) www.mass.gov/nhesp Special Concern (Pop. 1: remainder of state) Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Federal Status: None DESCRIPTION: Blue-spotted Salamander is a medium-sized salamander with conspicuous markings of randomly distributed, sky-blue spots, blotches, and flecks on a base color of dark gray to black. While the blue markings are abundant over the entire body in juveniles, they tend to be more concentrated along the sides and on the limbs in adults. Adults measure 3–5 inches (7.5–13 cm) in total length. The tail is laterally compressed (especially in sexually active males) and is proportionally longer in males than in females. Blue- spotted Salamander is in the family of mole salamanders, and so it has distinctively long toes and a stockier build relative to other groups of salamanders in our region. Blue-spotted Salamander Photo by Leo P. Kenney Larvae have bushy, external gills and a broad caudal fin that extends well onto the back. Young larvae are not SIMILAR SPECIES: Blue-spotted Salamander is a easily distinguished from those of other Ambystoma member of an intricate group of salamanders known as species. Older larvae can still be difficult to identify, but the Ambystoma jeffersonianum complex. In they are generally characterized as brownish with a Massachusetts, the complex consists of two bisexual yellowish lateral stripe, whitish/unpigmented undersides, species, Jefferson Salamander (A. jeffersonianum) and and a heavily dark-mottled caudal fin. Blue-spotted Salamander, and a group of unisexual Ambystoma of a hybrid lineage.
    [Show full text]
  • Massachusetts Forestry Conservation Management Practices for Mesa-Listed Mole Salamanders
    MASSACHUSETTS FORESTRY CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR MESA-LISTED MOLE SALAMANDERS Version 2007.1 revised December 2016 Prepared by Leslie Bol and the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Revised by Brent Powers and the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife In collaboration with Division of Water Supply Protection and Bureau of Forestry, Department of Conservation and Recreation Forestry Program, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Massachusetts Forest Alliance Working Group Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Extension Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst For further information regarding this document contact Brent I. Powers at [email protected], 508-389-6354 Massachusetts Forestry Conservation Management Practices for MESA-listed mole salamanders This publication was produced by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Development of the conservation management practices (CMPs) provided herein was based on an interdisciplinary approach coordinated by the CMP Working Group. A 30-day public comment period of the Draft CMP began on April 8, 2016 and ended on May 8, 2016. CMPs are meant to serve as guidelines for landowners and consulting foresters to aid in development of M.G.L. Chapter 132 Forest Cutting Plans that are compliant with provisions of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) (M.G.L. 131A) and its implementing regulations (321 CMR 10.00). In some cases, actual practices required for compliance with MESA may differ from published CMPs. Adherence to CMPs during forestry projects shall not necessarily constitute compliance with other state laws, or with local and federal laws.
    [Show full text]
  • Tennessee Salamander Identification
    1/24/2010 Salamanders of Tennessee Matthew L. Niemiller 21 January 2010 Salamander Anatomy Costal groove Mental gland Cirri Cornified toe pads Nasolabial groove Hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis • Family Cryptobranchidae – Up to 740 mm TL – Lack external gills; gills covered by skin – Flattened heads with small eyes – Conspicuously wrinkled skin along sides to aid in cutaneous respiration – Long oar‐like tails and short robust legs – External fertilization 1 1/24/2010 Mudpuppy Necturus maculosus • Family Proteidae – Up to 40 mm TL – Neotenic; external gills throughout life – Four toes on each foot – Also possess lungs – Long oar‐like tails and short robust legs – Primarily found in rivers in Tennessee Family Ambystomatidae • Large, robust salamanders with short but large, rounded heads • Conspicuous costal grooves present • Nasolabial grooves absent • Possess lungs • Larvae are robust with well‐developed caudal fins and large heads • Six species in Tennessee • Inhabit a variety of habitats but are most common in forests in close proximity to breeding sites, such as ephemeral ponds and flooded meadows • Throughout the majority of the year, adults reside underground in burrows but come to the surface during the breeding season Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum • Up to 248 mm TL • Black to gray ground color with conspicuous yellow to orange paired spots on the dorsum • Males with swollen vents during breeding season • 12 costal grooves • Breeding January ‐ April 2 1/24/2010 Marbled Salamander Ambystoma opacum • Smaller, up to
    [Show full text]
  • Genetic Variability and Structure of an Isolated Population of Ambystoma
    Journal of Genetics, Vol. 96, No. 6, December 2017, pp. 873–883 © Indian Academy of Sciences https://doi.org/10.1007/s12041-017-0823-6 RESEARCH ARTICLE Genetic variability and structure of an isolated population of Ambystoma altamirani, a mole salamander that lives in the mountains of one of the largest urban areas in the world ROSA-LAURA HEREDIA-BOBADILLA1, OCTAVIO MONROY-VILCHIS1∗, MARTHA M. ZARCO-GONZÁLEZ1, DANIEL MARTÍNEZ-GÓMEZ2, GERMÁN DAVID MENDOZA-MARTÍNEZ2 and ARMANDO SUNNY1 1Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto literario # 100, Colonia Centro, CP 50000 Toluca, Estado de México, México 2Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco, Calz. Del Hueso 1100, Col. Villa Quietud, 04960 México, México ∗ For correspondence. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]. Received 17 October 2016; revised 8 December 2016; accepted 6 January 2017; published online 15 November 2017 Abstract. Amphibians are globally threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation; species within the order Ambystoma are not the exception, as there are 18 species of mole salamanders in México, of which 16 are endemic and all species are under some national or international status of protection. The mole salamander, Ambystoma altamirani is a microendemic species, which is distributed in central México, within the trans-Mexican volcanic belt, and is one of the most threatened species due to habitat destruction and the introduction of exotic species. Nine microsatellite markers were used to determine the genetic structure, genetic variability, effective population size, presence of bottlenecks and inbreeding coefficient of one population of A.
    [Show full text]
  • Risk Analysis of the Axolotl ( ) in the Netherlands
    RISK ANALYSIS OF THE AXOLOTL (AMBYSTOMA MEXICANUM) IN THE NETHERLANDS Commissioned by: Invasive Alien Species Team Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority Ministry of Economic Affairs RISK ANALYSIS OF THE AXOLOTL (AMBYSTOMA MEXICANUM) IN THE NETHERLANDS S. van de Koppel MSc dr. ir. J.H. Vos Commissioned by: Invasive Alien Species Team Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority Ministry of Economic Affairs 2013-12-09 2013 Natuurbalans Limes-Divergens BV / Nederlands Expertise Centrum Exoten (NEC-E) Text and composition: S. van de Koppel MSc, dr. ir. J.H. Vos Signed for publication: Managing Director, Natuurbalans-Limes Divergens BV, Nijmegen, the Netherlands ir. B.H.J.M. Crombaghs Project code: 13-127 Commissioned by: ir. J.W. Lammers Invasive Alien Species Team, Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, Ministry of Economic Affairs (Team Invasieve Exoten, Nederlandse Voedsel en Waren Autoriteit, Ministerie van Economische Zaken) Cover photos: Axolotls caught in Franeker (photo by st DA Dier in Nood), introduction location in Franeker (photo by S. van de Koppel) Citation: VandeKoppel,S.&J.H.Vos,2013.RiskAnalysisoftheAxolotl( Ambystoma mexicanum) in the Netherlands. Natuurbalans - Limes Divergens BV / NEC-E, Nijmegen No part of this report may be reproduced and/or published by means of scanning, internet, photocopy, microfilm or any other means, without the prior written consent of the client indicated above and Natuurbalans-Limes Divergens BV nor may it, without such approval, be used for any work other than for which it was manufactured. Natuurbalans-Limes Divergens BV is not liable for consequential damages and for damages resulting from application of the results of operations or other data obtained from Natuurbalans-Limes Divergens BV.
    [Show full text]
  • Factors Influencing the Occupancy and Abundance Of
    Journal of Herpetology, Vol. 54, No. 3, 299–305, 2020 Copyright 2020 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Factors Influencing the Occupancy and Abundance of Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) in Kentucky Streams 1,3 2 1 ANDREA N. DRAYER, JACQUELYN C. GUZY, AND STEVEN J. PRICE 1Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky, Lexington Kentucky, 40546, USA 2Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701, USA Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/journal-of-herpetology/article-pdf/54/3/299/2624859/i0022-1511-54-3-299.pdf by guest on 30 September 2021 ABSTRACT.—For many amphibian species of conservation concern, our understanding of drivers of distribution and abundance are based on data collected at only a few localities. Thus, landscape-scale efforts are needed to better inform management and species conservation. The Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) is a global conservation priority because of its restricted geographic distribution and presumed sensitivity to forest loss, yet landscape-scale studies have not occurred. We surveyed a 16-county area in Kentucky (USA) and examined the influence of catchment (forest, agriculture, and urban) and local-scale (water chemistry and sunfish presence) variables on A. barbouri occupancy and abundance. We sampled 80 streams across different land cover types (i.e., 30 agriculture, 34 forested, and 16 urban) over 2 yrs (2017–2018). Within these streams, we identified 56 new localities. Estimated mean occupancy (W ¼ 0.91; credible interval [CI] ¼ 0.76–0.99) was high. Streams with the highest estimated abundances were those without sunfish and containing >50% forested or agricultural land cover within their catchments; urban streams had the lowest estimated abundances.
    [Show full text]
  • Appalachian Salamander Cons
    PROCEEDINGS OF THE APPALACHIAN SALAMANDER CONSERVATION WORKSHOP - 30–31 MAY 2008 CONSERVATION & RESEARCH CENTER, SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK, FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA, USA Hosted by Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, facilitated by the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group A contribution of the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group © Copyright 2008 CBSG IUCN encourages meetings, workshops and other fora for the consideration and analysis of issues related to conservation, and believes that reports of these meetings are most useful when broadly disseminated. The opinions and views expressed by the authors may not necessarily reflect the formal policies of IUCN, its Commissions, its Secretariat or its members. The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Gratwicke, B (ed). 2008. Proceedings of the Appalachian Salamander Conservation Workshop. IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group: Apple Valley, MN. To order additional copies of Proceedings of the Appalachian Salamander Conservation Workshop, contact the CBSG office: [email protected], 001-952-997-9800, www.cbsg.org. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Salamanders, along with many other amphibian species have been declining in recent years. The IUCN lists 47% of the world’s salamanders threatened or endangered, yet few people know that the Appalachian region of the United States is home to 14% of the world’s 535 salamander species, making it an extraordinary salamander biodiversity hotspot, and a priority region for salamander conservation.
    [Show full text]