Temporal Variation of Thermal Microhabitat Use of Tiger Salamanders
Abstract
Climate change is increasing global temperatures, which forces many species to experience environments that they have not been previously exposed to. Ectotherms are particularly sensitive to temperature shifts, and previous research suggests that changes in phenology and habitat use can help species mitigate climate change. Arizona Tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium nebulosum) are polymorphic amphibians that often live at high elevations, making them particularly susceptible to climatic shifts. In this study, we explored the temporal variation of thermal microhabitat use of tiger salamanders at the Mexican Cut Nature Preserve. By using quadrats placed in the thermal areas of permanent and semi-permanent ponds, we tested whether salamanders are using different microhabitats throughout the day based on temperature. We also used remote detection of PIT-tagged animals and temperature recordings to compare the use of vegetated and non-vegetated microhabitats based on water temperature in the quadrat. Results of the statistical analysis showed that there were significant relationships between time period and animals observed/detected, and also vegetation cover. Results showed that for visual surveys, late afternoon had a larger amount of animals observed in the quadrats. For remote detection surveys, results showed that the amount of salamanders detected/observed in vegetated quadrats was higher than the non-vegetated quadrats. In comparing data of average water temperature to animals observed for visual surveys, the water was at its warmest during the second and third visual surveys than the first. For average water temperature during remote detection surveys, more animals were detected/observed during the early afternoon and the water temperature was at its warmest. We found that vegetation cover also accounted for whether the salamanders would move into these shallow areas more frequently than areas where the water was also warm but did not provide cover. Climate change will have a significant effect on the thermoregulatory behavior of the Arizona tiger salamanders, increasing temperatures will also increase the area of the thermal areas. This might cause the salamanders to seek deeper water in order to thermoregulate.
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References (10)
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