Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2020
Publication Source
Natural Areas Journal
Abstract
Small streams are a high priority for conservation and an important target for biomonitoring. Stream salamanders are a useful indicator for biotic integrity of headwater streams; however, assessing stream salamanders is a challenging endeavor and existing methods can cause habitat disturbance or require expensive equipment. Our goal was to develop an artificial habitat that mimics the natural habitat that salamanders prefer, leading to rapid colonization and that also (1) represents a standardized area and (2) is easy to handle for rapid assessment. After developing a new artificial habitat (the Maloney Salamander Hotel), we tested the device in a variety of streams and compared our method with other techniques. After a series of field tests in a variety of streams through multiple seasons, we found that stream salamanders will colonize the apparatus and that this method yielded results similar or superior to other methods. For efficient and relatively simple assessment, our results indicate that three devices, left in streams for 3 d, should provide a reliable assessment of salamander presence. The device is relatively inexpensive, simple to build, easily handled for efficient deployment and collection, and does not harm the salamanders. We hope the development of this device provides a useful innovation for biological consultants, land managers, and researchers interested in assessing salamander presence in streams.
Inclusive pages
318-325
ISBN/ISSN
2162-4399
Document Version
Published Version
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 BioOne
Publisher
Natural Areas Association
Volume
40
Peer Reviewed
yes
Issue
4
Keywords
McEwan Laboratory
eCommons Citation
Maloney, Margaret E.; Borth, Eric B.; Skalski, Chris; and McEwan, Ryan W., "Development of a New Habitat Mimicking Tool for Assessing Larval Salamanders in Temperate Forest Streams" (2020). Biology Faculty Publications. 262.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/bio_fac_pub/262
Comments
This article was featured on the cover of Volume 40, Issue 4.
The document available for download (following a required 12-month embargo) is the published version, provided with the written permission of the publisher. Permission documentation is on file.