Seasonal dispersion patterns of the dusky salamander, Desmagnathus fuscus, in the coastal plain / by Joe H. Clayton.
| Author/creator | Clayton, Joe H. author. |
| Other author | McDaniel, Susan J., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Biology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 1974. |
| Description | 35 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | The dispersion patterns of the dusky salamander, Desmognathus fuscus, from primary seepages in Pitt County, North Carolina, were determined during a period from September 22, 1972, to September 16, 1973. One thousand quadrats, 0.6 meters square, were established in a natural area and a randomly selected ten percent were collected once a week for the 52 weeks. In the 5,200 quadrats sampled, 784 dusky salamanders were observed. Correlations of dispersion to several measured environmental factors were analyzed. The dispersion pattern of fuscus was found to be clumped on a yearly and seasonal basis. The monthly analysis of dispersion found the duskies clumped except for the months of January and May. As the density of the sample population increased, so did the number of clumped quadrats. Clumped quadrats generally contained salamanders of different sexes and sizes during all parts of the year. Field studies indicated that environmental temperature was an important factor in determining relative abundance and dispersion patterns. In general, the sample population dispersions were not correlated with moisture gradients from rainfall or cloud cover. It was not easily determined whether the clumping of the salamanders was due to temperature changes, the result of the changing of the seasons, or a combination of the two. D. fuscus does seem to have a longer activity period in the milder climate of the coastal plain compared to the same species in mountain areas. Although no vigorous test for territoriality was maintained, existence of territoriality other than that of the possible nesting and mating behavior is doubtful. Mating and nesting behavior probably influenced the dispersion patterns in spring reducing clumping relative to abundance. Cover was considered a very important factor in determining the dispersion patterns of fuscus. The general consensus from past and present research is that as cover increases, the salamanders tend to disperse at random. |
| General note | Submitted to the faculty of the Department of Biology. |
| General note | Advisor: Susan J. McDaniel |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina University 1974 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 33-35). |
| Genre/form | dissertations. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
Availability
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | University Archives | ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK | ✔ Available | Request Material |
| Electronic Resources | Access Content Online | ✔ Available |