SREL Reprint #3110

Observations on Emigration and Habitat Use by Eastern Tiger Salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum, in South Carolina

Raymond D. Semlitsch1, Brian S. Metts2, and Judith L. Greene2

1Division of Biological Science, 105 Tucker Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211-7400, USA
2University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, USA

Abstract: For conservation and management of amphibians, it is now well recognized that aquatic and terrestrial habitats are essential to carry out life history functions of amphibians and that both habitats should be managed simultaneously (Semlitsch 2000). The amount of terrestrial habitat used during both breeding and post-breeding migrations, foraging, and overwintering defines the core terrestrial habitat of a population (sensu Semlitsch and Jensen 2001; Semlitsch 1998; Semlitsch and Bodie 2003), and is critical to the persistence of the local population. However, a better understanding of the habitats used for specific activities, and whether certain habitat types are being selectively used is also necessary. This is essential because it is often necessary to balance conservation needs for habitat protection with human landuse, and having more detailed information about the location of habitats essential for persistence is of great economic importance.

We present the results of a radio-telemetry study on four adults of the eastern tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, as they emigrate from a breeding site in South Carolina. We use the location of each individual to generate home ranges in the terrestrial habitat and maximum distance traveled away from the breeding site. We also provide limited data on the availability of habitat within the study area and within the home range of individuals.

SREL Reprint #3110

Semlitsch, R. D., B. S. Metts, and J. L. Greene. 2007. Observations on Emigration and Habitat Use by Eastern Tiger Salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum, in South Carolina. Herpetological Review 38(4): 399-402.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).