Abstract
During the summers of 1994 and 1995, habitat use of long-toed salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum) at a microhabitat, macrohabitat and landscape scale were examined to determine the habitat associations for this species around Hinton, Alberta Canada. Relative abundance was used as an index of habitat use and was estimated by using pitfall arrays and egg counts.
The microhabitat scale indicated salamanders were clustered close to the breeding ponds, on sloped terrain with thick litter. A comparison of relative abundance in different habitat types (forests, clearcuts and wet areas) resulted in comparisons with low power and prevented drawing definite conclusions. The landscape scale, where breeding population size was compared with the amount of harvesting around breeding ponds, indicated no relationship between breeding population size and total harvested area. Long-toed salamanders appear to be habitat generalists at a landscape scale but may select certain habitat features when establishing home ranges.
Citation
Graham, Karen (1997). Habitat Use by Long-toed Salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum) at Three Different Scales. Master’s thesis, University of Guelph.
