DOCSLIB.ORG

Ecological Limits to Local Species Richness in Dusky Salamanders (Genus Desmognathus Baird)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ecological Limits to Local Species Richness in Dusky Salamanders (Genus Desmognathus Baird) Canadian Journal of Zoology Ecological limits to local species richness in dusky salamanders (genus Desmognathus Baird) Journal: Canadian Journal of Zoology Manuscript ID cjz-2016-0071.R2 Manuscript Type: Article Date Submitted by the Author: 06-Oct-2016 Complete List of Authors: Camp, C.D.; Department of Biology Wooten, Jessica; Centre College, Biology Graham, Sean; Sul Ross State University, Biology, Geology, and Physical Sciences Draft Pauley, Thomas; Marshall University, Biological Sciences species richness, ecological limits, GIS-based niche modeling, Appalachian Keyword: Mountains, Desmognathus https://mc06.manuscriptcentral.com/cjz-pubs Page 1 of 39 Canadian Journal of Zoology 1 1 Ecological limits to local species richness in dusky salamanders (genus Desmognathus 2 Baird) 3 4 Carlos D. Camp a, Jessica A. Wooten b*, Sean P. Graham c, Thomas K. Pauley d 5 6 aDepartment of Biology, Piedmont College, PO Box 10, Demorest, Georgia, USA 7 E-mail: [email protected] 8 bDepartment of Biology, Centre College, 600 West Walnut Street, Danville, Kentucky, USA 9 E-mail: [email protected] 10 cDepartment of Biology, Geology, and Physical Sciences, Sul Ross State University, Box C-64, 11 Alpine, Texas, USA Draft 12 E-mail: [email protected] 13 dDepartment of Biological Sciences, Marshall University, 1 John Marshall Drive, Marshall 14 University, Huntington, West Virginia, USA 15 16 *Corresponding author. Tel.: (859) 238-5322 17 E-mail address: [email protected] 18 19 20 21 22 23 https://mc06.manuscriptcentral.com/cjz-pubs Canadian Journal of Zoology Page 2 of 39 2 24 Abstract: Species richness commonly varies with elevation, but in many montane regions, the 25 greatest number of species occurs at middle elevations. A recent regional analysis showed this 26 pattern in Appalachian salamanders of the genus Desmognathus Baird. The authors proposed 27 that the phylogenetic niche conservatism of these salamanders causes species to accumulate at 28 intermediate elevations, which are characterized by the ancestral climate for the genus. They 29 further suggested that physiological tolerances limit dispersal into higher or lower elevations. We 30 tested this hypothesis using geographic information systems (GIS)-based analysis of 235 local 31 Desmognathus communities. Consistent with the regional analysis, local species richness was 32 greatest at middle elevations. However, the number of species is not limited by physiological 33 tolerances but appears to be restricted ecologically by climate variables favoring aridity as well 34 as by biotic factors. Whether such ecologicalDraft limits on species richness at the local level 35 influences richness across regions or evolutionary clades remains to be tested. 36 37 38 39 Key words: species richness, ecological limits, GIS-based niche modeling, Appalachian 40 Mountains, Desmognathus 41 42 43 44 45 46 https://mc06.manuscriptcentral.com/cjz-pubs Page 3 of 39 Canadian Journal of Zoology 3 47 Introduction 48 49 Biogeographers have long wondered why biodiversity is not randomly scattered across 50 the planet but occurs in certain regular, repeatable patterns. However, in spite of two centuries of 51 scholastic scrutiny punctuated by intensified research activity over the last several decades, no 52 consensus explanation has emerged (Rahbek 1997, 2005). In fact, more than 100 hypotheses 53 have been proposed to explain species-richness patterns across the surface of the globe (Palmer 54 1994). While empirical research has whittled down this number to a handful of credible 55 hypotheses, debate continues (Rahbek and Graves 2001). For example, Rabosky (2009) recently 56 proposed ecological limits as an alternative to evolutionary diversification (speciation minus 57 extinction) rates in explaining species-richnessDraft patterns across regions and evolutionary clades. 58 In a spirited rebuttal, Wiens (2011) pointed out that ecology cannot affect richness without 59 influencing rates of speciation, extinction, or dispersal. He further criticized Rabosky’s (2009) 60 evidence for ecological limits. 61 A well-documented relationship is that between species richness and elevation. Among 62 the more enigmatic facets of this relationship is that the number of species often peaks at 63 intermediate elevations (e.g., Colwell and Lees 2000; McCain 2004; Cardelús et al. 2006; Li et 64 al. 2009). While this pattern has been recognized for decades (Rahbek 1995), the underlying 65 cause, or suite of causes, remains unresolved. Included in the explanations hypothesized for this 66 phenomenon are environmental conditions favoring either co-existence (Heaney 2001) or 67 speciation (Smith et al. 2007), evolutionary time (Smith et al. 2007), population dynamics 68 (Kessler 2000), geographic area (Sanders 2002), or simply the central accumulation of species- https://mc06.manuscriptcentral.com/cjz-pubs Canadian Journal of Zoology Page 4 of 39 4 69 range overlaps resulting from their random shuffling within a geographically defined space (mid- 70 domain effect, Colwell et al. 2004). 71 In a recent analysis, Kozak and Wiens (2010) demonstrated mid-elevational peaks of 72 evolutionary lineages in several genera (i.e., genera Plethodon Tschudi and Desmognathus 73 Baird) of Appalachian salamanders. They further showed that mid-level elevations have been 74 occupied longer than either higher or lower elevations. They hypothesized that phylogenetic 75 niche conservatism in these salamanders (Kozak and Wiens 2006) restricts these lineages to their 76 ancestral climatic niches, which are currently associated with intermediate elevations. As 77 speciation occurs within this climatic zone, dispersal to higher and lower elevations is 78 physiologically constrained, resulting in an accumulation of a greater number of species at mid- 79 level elevations. Draft 80 Perceived patterns of species richness, however, vary with scale (Rahbek 2005), and 81 while local diversity ‒ i.e., species sympatric within the same community ‒ tends to reflect the 82 larger regional species pool (Harrison and Cornell 2008), it is at the local level where ecological 83 factors should affect species richness (Wiens 2011). Machac et al. (2011) showed that local 84 diversity may be constrained ecologically by both biotic and abiotic factors. Because the analysis 85 of Kozak and Wiens (2010) of salamanders was conducted at a regional scale across the 86 Appalachian Mountains, our purpose was to test their hypothesis at the level of the local 87 community. 88 We tested the hypothesis that species are physiologically restricted to the climates of 89 mid-elevations by using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based niche modeling. Driven 90 by recent advancements in computing power and the widespread availability of large, 91 environmental datasets, niche modeling has brought about a significant leap in understanding https://mc06.manuscriptcentral.com/cjz-pubs Page 5 of 39 Canadian Journal of Zoology 5 92 how climate and other factors regulate the geographical distribution of individual species (e.g., 93 Graham et al. 2004; Kozak et al. 2008). This technique, however, has infrequently been used to 94 address questions regarding spatial patterns of community structure (Stephens and Wiens 2009). 95 We chose the salamander genus Desmognathus , a speciose lineage of Appalachian 96 salamanders whose communities are strongly influenced by interspecific interactions (Bruce 97 2009, 2011). Specifically we use GIS-based niche modeling to answer the following questions. 98 1) Does species richness within local desmognathan communities peak at intermediate 99 elevations? 2) How does elevation relate to specific climatic variables? 3) What is the 100 relationship between local species richness and climatic variables? 4) Is the relationship between 101 species richness and climate constrained by physiological limits, i.e., is richness of local 102 communities defined entirely by the physiologicalDraft tolerances of individual component species? 103 104 Materials and methods 105 106 Study species 107 The dusky salamanders of the genus Desmognathus currently comprise 21 recognized, 108 named species (Table 1; http://amphibiaweb.org) of lungless salamander (family Plethodontidae Table 1 109 Gray), although additional unnamed, cryptic lineages exist (Beamer and Lamb 2008; Tilley et al. 110 2013; Tilley 2016). In a phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA sequences, Kozak et al. (2005) 111 identified 35 putatively independent, evolutionary lineages. This genus is distributed across most 112 of the eastern United States but is most speciose in the southern Appalachian Mountains where 113 up to six species can occur in together in a local community (Bruce 1991). Dusky salamanders 114 are typically associated with streams but vary widely in their microhabitat choice along moisture https://mc06.manuscriptcentral.com/cjz-pubs Canadian Journal of Zoology Page 6 of 39 6 115 gradients. In multi-species assemblages, with very few exceptions, each point along the gradient 116 is occupied by a species (or evolutionary lineage) possessing a unique ecomorph. Species range 117 from being large (adult body lengths = 90+ mm) and completely aquatic with multi-year larval 118 periods to completely terrestrial, miniature species (adult body lengths < 40 mm) having no 119 aquatic larval phase (Petranka 1998). All species prey on invertebrates with both larvae (e.g., 120 Burton 1976; Davic 1991; Beachy 1995) and adults (e.g., Martof and Scott 1957; Donovan and 121 Folkerts 1972; Fitzpatrick
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 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]
  • Amphibian and Reptile Checklist
    KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS ___ Eastern Rat Snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) – BLUE RIDGE (NC‐C, VA‐C) Habitat: Varies from rocky timbered hillsides to flat farmland. The following codes refer to an animal’s abundance in ___ Eastern Hog‐nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) – PARKWAY suitable habitat along the parkway, not the likelihood of (NC‐R, VA‐U) Habitat: Sandy or friable loam soil seeing it. Information on the abundance of each species habitats at lower elevation. AMPHIBIAN & comes from wildlife sightings reported by park staff and ___ Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) – (NC‐U, visitors, from other agencies, and from park research VA‐U) Habitat: Generalist at low elevations. reports. ___ Northern Mole Snake (Lampropeltis calligaster REPTILE C – COMMON rhombomaculata) – (VA‐R) Habitat: Mixed pine U – UNCOMMON forests and open fields under logs or boards. CHECKLIST R – RARE ___ Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) – (NC‐ U, VA‐U) Habitat: Woodlands, grassy balds, and * – LISTED – Any species federally or state listed as meadows. Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern. ___ Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon) – (NC‐C, VA‐C) Habitat: Wetlands, streams, and lakes. Non‐native – species not historically present on the ___ Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus) – (NC‐R, parkway that have been introduced (usually by humans.) VA‐R) Habitat: Low elevation forests. ___ Smooth Green Snake (Opheodrys vernalis) – (VA‐R) NC – NORTH CAROLINA Habitat: Moist, open woodlands or herbaceous Blue Ridge Red Cope's Gray wetlands under fallen debris. Salamander Treefrog VA – VIRGINIA ___ Northern Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) – (VA‐R) Habitat: Abandoned fields If you see anything unusual while on the parkway, please and dry mountain ridges with sandier soils.
    [Show full text]
  • Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles & Crocodilians
    STANDARD COMMON AND CURRENT SCIENTIFIC NAMES FOR NORTH AMERICAN AMPHIBIANS, TURTLES, REPTILES & CROCODILIANS Sixth Edition Joseph T. Collins TraVis W. TAGGart The Center for North American Herpetology THE CEN T ER FOR NOR T H AMERI ca N HERPE T OLOGY www.cnah.org Joseph T. Collins, Director The Center for North American Herpetology 1502 Medinah Circle Lawrence, Kansas 66047 (785) 393-4757 Single copies of this publication are available gratis from The Center for North American Herpetology, 1502 Medinah Circle, Lawrence, Kansas 66047 USA; within the United States and Canada, please send a self-addressed 7x10-inch manila envelope with sufficient U.S. first class postage affixed for four ounces. Individuals outside the United States and Canada should contact CNAH via email before requesting a copy. A list of previous editions of this title is printed on the inside back cover. THE CEN T ER FOR NOR T H AMERI ca N HERPE T OLOGY BO A RD OF DIRE ct ORS Joseph T. Collins Suzanne L. Collins Kansas Biological Survey The Center for The University of Kansas North American Herpetology 2021 Constant Avenue 1502 Medinah Circle Lawrence, Kansas 66047 Lawrence, Kansas 66047 Kelly J. Irwin James L. Knight Arkansas Game & Fish South Carolina Commission State Museum 915 East Sevier Street P. O. Box 100107 Benton, Arkansas 72015 Columbia, South Carolina 29202 Walter E. Meshaka, Jr. Robert Powell Section of Zoology Department of Biology State Museum of Pennsylvania Avila University 300 North Street 11901 Wornall Road Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 Kansas City, Missouri 64145 Travis W. Taggart Sternberg Museum of Natural History Fort Hays State University 3000 Sternberg Drive Hays, Kansas 67601 Front cover images of an Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) and Cajun Chorus Frog (Pseudacris fouquettei) by Suzanne L.
    [Show full text]
  • Terrestrial Ecosystems 3 Chapter 1
    TERRESTRIAL Chapter 1: Terrestrial Ecosystems 3 Chapter 1: What are the history, Terrestrial status, and projected future of terrestrial wildlife habitat types and Ecosystems species in the South? Margaret Katherine Trani (Griep) Southern Region, USDA Forest Service ■ Since presettlement, there have insect infestation, advanced age, Key Findings been significant losses of community climatic processes, and distur- biodiversity in the South (Noss and bance influence mast yields. ■ There are 132 terrestrial vertebrate others 1995). Fourteen communities ■ The ranges of many species species that are considered to be are critically endangered (greater cross both public and private of conservation concern in the South than 98-percent decline), 25 are land ownerships. The numbers of by State Natural Heritage agencies. endangered (85- to 98-percent imperiled and endangered species Of the species that warrant conser- decline), and 11 are threatened inhabiting private land indicate its vation focus, 3 percent are classed (70- to 84-percent decline). Common critical importance for conservation. factors contributing to the loss of as critically imperiled, 3 percent ■ The significance of land owner- as imperiled, and 6 percent as these communities include urban development, fire suppression, ship in the South for the provision vulnerable. Eighty-six percent of species habitat cannot be of terrestrial vertebrate species exotic species invasion, and recreational activity. overstated. Each major landowner are designated as relatively secure. has an important role to play in ■ The remaining 2 percent are either The term “fragmentation” the conservation of species and known or presumed to be extinct, references the insularization of their habitats. or have questionable status. habitat on a landscape.
    [Show full text]
  • Occupancy Models to Study Wildlife June When Salamanders Were Believed 2
    unit. Sample units were near trails and Further Reading Caudata) populations: a twenty-year and dynamics of species occurance. located approximately 250 m apart study in the southern Appalachians. Academic Press. Glossary: Ash, A. N. 1997. Disappearance and to ensure independence among sites. Brimleyana 18: 59-64. return of salamanders to clearcut plots Thirty-nine sites were sampled once 1. State variable: variable used to characterize the status of the wild- O’Connell, A. F., N. W. Talancy, L. in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Hanski, I. 1992. Inferences from eco- L. Bailey, J. R. Sauer, R. Cook and every two weeks from April to mid- life system of interest; the system being studied. Conservation Biology 11: 983-989. logical incidence functions. American A. T. Gilbert. 2005. Estimating site Occupancy Models to Study Wildlife June when salamanders were believed 2. Occupancy: the proportion of sites, patches, or habitat units oc- Naturalist 139: 657-662. occupancy and detection probability to be most active and near the surface. Ash, A. N. and K. H. Pollock. 1999. cupied by a species. parameters for mammals in a coastal However, we detected no salaman- Clearcuts, salamanders and field stud- 3. Detectability: the probability of detecting a species during a single Kendall, W. L. 1999. Robustness of ecosystem. Journal of Wildlife Man- ders of the Desmognathus imitator ies. Conservation Biology 13: 206- Abstract areas and may be survey, given it is present at the site. closed capture–recapture methods to agement 69: in press. 208. violations of the closure assumption. appropriate for spe- Coverboards Many wildlife studies seek to 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Legal Authority Over the Use of Native Amphibians and Reptiles in the United States State of the Union
    STATE OF THE UNION: Legal Authority Over the Use of Native Amphibians and Reptiles in the United States STATE OF THE UNION: Legal Authority Over the Use of Native Amphibians and Reptiles in the United States Coordinating Editors Priya Nanjappa1 and Paulette M. Conrad2 Editorial Assistants Randi Logsdon3, Cara Allen3, Brian Todd4, and Betsy Bolster3 1Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Washington, DC 2Nevada Department of Wildlife Las Vegas, NV 3California Department of Fish and Game Sacramento, CA 4University of California-Davis Davis, CA ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS WE THANK THE FOLLOWING PARTNERS FOR FUNDING AND IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT, EDITING, AND PRODUCTION OF THIS DOCUMENT: US Fish & Wildlife Service Competitive State Wildlife Grant Program funding for “Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Need” proposal, with its five primary partner states: l Missouri Department of Conservation l Nevada Department of Wildlife l California Department of Fish and Game l Georgia Department of Natural Resources l Michigan Department of Natural Resources Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation Arizona Game and Fish Department US Fish & Wildlife Service, International Affairs, International Wildlife Trade Program DJ Case & Associates Special thanks to Victor Young for his skill and assistance in graphic design for this document. 2009 Amphibian & Reptile Regulatory Summit Planning Team: Polly Conrad (Nevada Department of Wildlife), Gene Elms (Arizona Game and Fish Department), Mike Harris (Georgia Department of Natural Resources), Captain Linda Harrison (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), Priya Nanjappa (Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies), Matt Wagner (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department), and Captain John West (since retired, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) Nanjappa, P.
    [Show full text]
  • Desmognathus Imitator Imitator Salamander
    359.1 AMPHIBIA: CAUDA TA: PLETHODONTIDAE DESMOGNATHUSIMITATOR Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. D. imitator sympatric with red-cheeked populations of Pleth. odon jordani are often polymorphic for yellow, orange, or red cheek TILLEY,STEPHENG. 1985. Desmognathus imitator. patches, which sympatric D. ochrophaeus lack. Colored cheeks do occur, however, in certain D. ochrophaeus populations allopatric Desmognathus imitator with D. imitator (TilJey et aI., 1978). D. ochrophaeus sympatric Imitator salamander with D. imitator normally have distinct, relatively straight dorso. lateral bands. The more variable dorsal pattern of D. imitator Desmognathus ochrophaea carolinensis Dunn, 1916:74 (Part). typically consists of strongly undulating, often interrupted dorsolat• Type-locality, " ... spring near top of Mt. Mitchell, North eral stripes. At the type-locality of D. imitator and to the southwest Carolina, altitude over 6500 feet." Holotype, an adult male, along the main ridgecrest of the Great Smokies the two species are collected October 5, 1902 by H. H. Brimley and F. Sherman, readily distinguished via cheek and dorsal coloration. At other lo• Jr., U.S. Nat. Mus. 31135, examined by author. calities lack of colored cheeks in D. imitator, more variable color• Desmognathus ochrophaeus carolinensis: Stejneger and Barbollr, ation in D. ochrophaeus, and ontogenetic darkening in both species 1917:23. Emendation: results in specimens, particularly old adults, which cannot be iden• Desmognathus fUscus carolinensis: Pope, 1924:4. Transfer of D. tified without electrophoretic analysis. o. carolinesis to D. fUscus. • DEscRIPTIONS.Dunn (1927) and TilJey et al. (1978) com• Desmognathus fuscus imitator Dunn, 1927:84. Type-locality, "In• pared the species to sympatric and allopatric D.
    [Show full text]
  • Imitator Salamander
    Imitator Salamander Desmognathus imitator Taxa: Amphibian SE-GAP Spp Code: aIMSA Order: Caudata ITIS Species Code: 173639 Family: Plethodontidae NatureServe Element Code: AAAAD03050 KNOWN RANGE: PREDICTED HABITAT: P:\Proj1\SEGap P:\Proj1\SEGap Range Map Link: http://www.basic.ncsu.edu/segap/datazip/maps/SE_Range_aIMSA.pdf Predicted Habitat Map Link: http://www.basic.ncsu.edu/segap/datazip/maps/SE_Dist_aIMSA.pdf GAP Online Tool Link: http://www.gapserve.ncsu.edu/segap/segap/index2.php?species=aIMSA Data Download: http://www.basic.ncsu.edu/segap/datazip/region/vert/aIMSA_se00.zip PROTECTION STATUS: Reported on March 14, 2011 Federal Status: --- State Status: NC (W2) NS Global Rank: G3G4 NS State Rank: NC (S3), TN (S3) aIMSA Page 1 of 3 SUMMARY OF PREDICTED HABITAT BY MANAGMENT AND GAP PROTECTION STATUS: US FWS US Forest Service Tenn. Valley Author. US DOD/ACOE ha % ha % ha % ha % Status 1 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 Status 2 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 Status 3 0.0 0 137.7 1 0.0 0 0.0 0 Status 4 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 Total 0.0 0 137.7 1 0.0 0 0.0 0 US Dept. of Energy US Nat. Park Service NOAA Other Federal Lands ha % ha % ha % ha % Status 1 0.0 0 7,717.2 79 0.0 0 0.0 0 Status 2 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 Status 3 0.0 0 48.0 < 1 0.0 0 0.0 0 Status 4 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 Total 0.0 0 7,765.2 79 0.0 0 0.0 0 Native Am.
    [Show full text]
  • Identifying Priority Ecoregions for Amphibian Conservation in the U.S. and Canada
    Acknowledgements This assessment was conducted as part of a priority setting effort for Operation Frog Pond, a project of Tree Walkers International. Operation Frog Pond is designed to encourage private individuals and community groups to become involved in amphibian conservation around their homes and communities. Funding for this assessment was provided by The Lawrence Foundation, Northwest Frog Fest, and members of Tree Walkers International. This assessment would not be possible without data provided by The Global Amphibian Assessment, NatureServe, and the International Conservation Union. We are indebted to their foresight in compiling basic scientific information about species’ distributions, ecology, and conservation status; and making these data available to the public, so that we can provide informed stewardship for our natural resources. I would also like to extend a special thank you to Aaron Bloch for compiling conservation status data for amphibians in the United States and to Joe Milmoe and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program for supporting Operation Frog Pond. Photo Credits Photographs are credited to each photographer on the pages where they appear. All rights are reserved by individual photographers. All photos on the front and back cover are copyright Tim Paine. Suggested Citation Brock, B.L. 2007. Identifying priority ecoregions for amphibian conservation in the U.S. and Canada. Tree Walkers International Special Report. Tree Walkers International, USA. Text © 2007 by Brent L. Brock and Tree Walkers International Tree Walkers International, 3025 Woodchuck Road, Bozeman, MT 59715-1702 Layout and design: Elizabeth K. Brock Photographs: as noted, all rights reserved by individual photographers.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Heritage Program List of Rare Animal Species of North Carolina 2020
    Natural Heritage Program List of Rare Animal Species of North Carolina 2020 Hickory Nut Gorge Green Salamander (Aneides caryaensis) Photo by Austin Patton 2014 Compiled by Judith Ratcliffe, Zoologist North Carolina Natural Heritage Program N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources www.ncnhp.org C ur Alleghany rit Ashe Northampton Gates C uc Surry am k Stokes P d Rockingham Caswell Person Vance Warren a e P s n Hertford e qu Chowan r Granville q ot ui a Mountains Watauga Halifax m nk an Wilkes Yadkin s Mitchell Avery Forsyth Orange Guilford Franklin Bertie Alamance Durham Nash Yancey Alexander Madison Caldwell Davie Edgecombe Washington Tyrrell Iredell Martin Dare Burke Davidson Wake McDowell Randolph Chatham Wilson Buncombe Catawba Rowan Beaufort Haywood Pitt Swain Hyde Lee Lincoln Greene Rutherford Johnston Graham Henderson Jackson Cabarrus Montgomery Harnett Cleveland Wayne Polk Gaston Stanly Cherokee Macon Transylvania Lenoir Mecklenburg Moore Clay Pamlico Hoke Union d Cumberland Jones Anson on Sampson hm Duplin ic Craven Piedmont R nd tla Onslow Carteret co S Robeson Bladen Pender Sandhills Columbus New Hanover Tidewater Coastal Plain Brunswick THE COUNTIES AND PHYSIOGRAPHIC PROVINCES OF NORTH CAROLINA Natural Heritage Program List of Rare Animal Species of North Carolina 2020 Compiled by Judith Ratcliffe, Zoologist North Carolina Natural Heritage Program N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Raleigh, NC 27699-1651 www.ncnhp.org This list is dynamic and is revised frequently as new data become available. New species are added to the list, and others are dropped from the list as appropriate. The list is published periodically, generally every two years.
    [Show full text]
  • Southeast Priority Species (RSGCN): Amphibians
    Southeast Priority Species (RSGCN): Amphibians Updated as of February 3, 2021 The following amphibian species were identified as Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need (RSGCN) through a collaborative assessment process carried out by the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) Wildlife Diversity Committee. “Regional Stewardship Responsibility" refers to the portion of a species' range in the Southeast relative to North America as a whole. Additional details of this assessment can be found at: http://secassoutheast.org/2019/09/30/Priorities-for-Conservation-in-Southeastern-States.html Very High Concern Scientific Name Common Name Federal Listing Southeast State Range Regional Stewardship Status* Responsibility Eurycea waterlooensis Austin blind salamander LE TX SEAFWA Endemic Eurycea sosorum Barton Springs Salamander LE TX SEAFWA Endemic Gyrinophilus gulolineatus Berry Cave Salamander TN SEAFWA Endemic Necturus alabamensis Black Warrior Waterdog LE AL SEAFWA Endemic Eurycea robusta Blanco blind Salamander TX SEAFWA Endemic Ambystoma cingulatum Flatwoods Salamander (Frosted) LT FL GA SC SEAFWA Endemic Lithobates okaloosae Florida Bog Frog At-risk FL SEAFWA Endemic Plethodon fourchensis Fourche Mountain Salamander AL AR SEAFWA Endemic Eurycea naufragia Georgetown Salamander LT TX SEAFWA Endemic Lithobates capito Gopher Frog At-risk AL FL GA MS NC SC TN 75-100% of Range Cryptobranchus alleganiensis Hellbender (including Eastern AL AR GA KY MO MS NC TN VA WV 50-75% of Range (including alleganiensis and and Ozark)
    [Show full text]
  • Monitoring Amphibians in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    Monitoring Amphibians in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Circular 1258 U.S. Department of the Interior By C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr. U.S. Geological Survey Photographs by: Author unless otherwise noted, between 1998 and 2002. All animals were photographed within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Color illustrations by: Jacqualine Grant, Cornell University. Layout: Patsy Mixson Graphic Design: Jim Tomberlin Monitoring Amphibians in Great Smoky Mountains National Park By C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr. U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1258 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GALE A. NORTON, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CHARLES G. GROAT, Director The use of firm, product, trade, and brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. Tallahassee, Florida 2003 For additional information write to: C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr. Florida Integrated Science Center U.S. Geological Survey 7920 N.W. 71st Street Gainesville, Florida 32653 For additional copies please contact: U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Information Services Box 25286 Denver, CO 80225-0286 Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Dodd, C. Kenneth. Monitoring Amphibians in Great Smoky Mountains National Park / by C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr. p. cm. — (U.S. Geological Survey circular ; 1258) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-607-93448-4 (alk. paper) 1. Amphibians — Monitoring — Great Smoky Mountains National Park (N.C. and Tenn.) 2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (N.C. and Tenn.) I. Title. II. Series.
    [Show full text]