Where the Zigzags go: a microhabitat analysis for the Plethodon dorsalis complex within the Tennessee River gorge

Understudied high-biomass animals such as the Northern Zigzag salamander (Plethodon dorsalis) are known contributors to essential nutrient cycles within their respective habitats. Knowing that these sensitive creatures serve as bioindicators for the overall health and quality of many ecosystems, we should aim to comprehend their habitat requirements. Doing so could ultimately allow conservationists to set more accurate baselines for various mitigation and land management practices. Due to our location within the southeast amphibian biodiversity hot spot, sampling of P. dorsalis is conducted in the Tennessee River Gorge (TRG). Sampling of survey polygons began on October 28, 2018 and concluded on June 8, 2019. Three 2,000 m² sites are selected based on presence of target species and a GIS processed land cover dataset in an attempt to best represent the diverse landscape of selected slopes within the 27,000 acre TRG. Specimens are located using a time based natural cover object survey method. Microhabitat is analyzed within 1 m² of each location containing a P. dorsalis specimen along an elevation gradient (250-300, 300-350 and 350-400 m). For each animal-present location, a randomly selected animal-absent plot is analyzed. This assessment attempts to identify differences in microhabitat preference based on selected versus available habitat using predictive geospatial models and AICc values. These AICс values demonstrate the performance of covariates measured and model fit in relation to salamander presence. Results suggest that different factors influence the distribution of P. dorsalis with respect to microhabitat selection.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Author dc:creator

• Childers, Tegan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Wilson, Thomas P.
• Hossain, A.K.M. Azad; Gunasekera, Sumith; Reyonlds, Bradley R.
• College of Arts and Sciences

• Conservation biology
• Niche (Ecology)
• Salamander populations

Licence

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English, eng

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/672

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-1837