Graduate Exit Seminar - Aidan McCarthy

Plan to join Aidan McCarthy's graduate exit seminar on April 12, 2024, at 8:00 am in Kottman Hall 333C or via Zoom. Aidan will present, "Status Assessment, Conservation, and Spatial Ecology of Green Salamanders (Aneides aeneus) in Ohio."

Abstract: The green salamander (Aneides aeneus) is a unique species of amphibian which specializes in inhabiting the crevices of rock outcrops. These salamanders reach the edge of their range in Ohio, where they are found in two isolated and highly localized populations along the Ohio River. Green salamanders are currently listed as state Endangered in Ohio; however, an organized status assessment has not been completed in over 15 years. In recent years, the species has experienced notable regional declines across their broader distribution in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Therefore, it is important to better understand how the salamander’s ecology may differ within the fringe populations of Ohio compared to core populations. This project’s primary objectives are (1) to update the status and distribution of the green salamander in Ohio, (2) implement light detection and ranging data to investigate and predict which environmental variables influence the species’ distribution in the state, and (3) quantify the microhabitat variables affecting the salamander’s selection of rock crevices. We hope that such efforts will not only contribute to a better understanding of the ecology and conservation priorities of green salamanders in Ohio but also guide long-term monitoring efforts beyond this study to ensure the future viability of this at-risk species.

Advisor: Dr. William E. Peterman