Degree Name

MS (Master of Science)

Program

Biology

Date of Award

5-2004

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Fred J. Alsop III

Committee Members

James R. Stewart, Steve Karsai

Abstract

In the Southern Appalachians, there are growing concerns about Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) due to habitat destruction and the uncertain future of their forested riparian habitat. In this study, I establish baseline data of a population of Spotted Salamanders so future monitoring of this population can be performed. The study site is located in northeastern Tennessee, just east of the city of Bristol. It is a vernal pond at the Osceola Island Recreation Area one mile below the South Holston Dam on Holston View Dam road. A drift fence was established completely around the perimeter of the vernal pond to capture Spotted Salamanders entering and exiting the study pond. Individual Spotted Salamanders were identified using spot pattern recognition. An estimated population size of 2,449 Spotted Salamanders was determined to utilized the pond for breeding for the spring of 2003.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

Included in

Biology Commons

Share

COinS