BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
19 July 2024 Microhabitat Preferences and Genetic Confirmation of Plethodon jacksoni in Karst Sinkholes in Western Virginia
Karen E. Powers, Nathan I. Harris III, Robert R. Sheehy, Justine N. McLaughlin, Christine J. Small
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Surveys in 2008 documented 2 salamander species, Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Red-backed Salamander) and P. glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamander), utilizing sinkholes in Montgomery County, VA. Given the suite of species that are morphologically similar across the Northern Slimy Salamander and P. wehrlei (Wehrle's Salamander) complexes, we revisited 16 of these sinkholes in spring–summer 2022 and utilized cleaved amplified polymorphism (CAP) reinforced by DNA barcoding to confirm species identification. We added microhabitat measures to finetune habitat preferences of captured plethodontids (leaf-litter depth, soil moisture, and cover type [log, rock, cover board, leaves] at the point of collection for each salamander). Of 146 salamanders captured, we documented 116 P. jacksoni (Blacksburg Salamander), 29 Eastern Red-backed Salamanders, and 1 P. cylindraceus (White-spotted Slimy Salamander). Further, tail clips from 2008 surveys (n = 100) confirmed that we erroneously identified Blacksburg Salamanders as Northern Slimy Salamanders in the original study and we should instead interpret site-level habitat preferences for Blacksburg Salamanders. New microhabitat analyses for the Blacksburg Salamander suggest preferences for rocks and cover types associated with greater leaf-litter depth. We combine old and new project data to provide a broader baseline understanding of the natural history of this newly designated species.

Karen E. Powers, Nathan I. Harris III, Robert R. Sheehy, Justine N. McLaughlin, and Christine J. Small "Microhabitat Preferences and Genetic Confirmation of Plethodon jacksoni in Karst Sinkholes in Western Virginia," Northeastern Naturalist 31(3), 271-282, (19 July 2024). https://doi.org/10.1656/045.031.0301
Published: 19 July 2024
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top