Surface Retreats Used among Four Genera of Terrestrial Salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A study on plethodontid salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park revealed that these terrestrial salamanders prefer larger woody retreats, such as logs and bark piles, more than expected. The research found a positive correlation between retreat area or mass and the presence, number, and size of salamanders, though this relationship explained only a small portion of the variation observed. Elevation played a significant role, with stronger associations at low and mid elevations. Additionally, when multiple salamanders shared retreats, they tended to be similar in size and species pairings matched expectations based on site diversity. This study provides insights into retreat use patterns for terrestrial salamanders and suggests avenues for further research to clarify these relationships.

Caruso, N. M. (2016). Surface Retreats Used among Four Genera of Terrestrial Salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Journal of Herpetology, 50(1), 87–93. https://doi.org/10.1670/13-148