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Jill Newman
Wildlife Biologist
Clemson M.S. Research
I was a member of the Barrett Lab at Clemson University in Clemson, SC from 2015-2017. My thesis focused on species distribution models at two different scales. On a small-scale, my first chapter looked at how habitat associations affect green salamander distribution in South Carolina. On a larger scale, my second chapter examined how climate affects the distribution of green salamanders in their disjunct range.
Chapter 1: Green Salamander Estimated Abundance and Environmental Associations in South Carolina
Salamanders are important because they are the most abundant vertebrate on forest floors, they eat insects that humans consider "pests" (i.e. mosquitoes and ticks), and they are considered an indicator species for the ecosystems they occur in.
However, there have been documented declines salamanders globally with 60% of species being vulnerable.
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One such vulnerable salamander species is the green salamander (Aneides aeneus). It's the only Aneides (climbing salamander) found on the east coast. With their dorsolaterally flattened bodies and square toe tips, they are specialized for living in granitic or limestone rocky outcrops. It's also been recently discovered to be arboreal.
In South Carolina, green salamander populations have been declining since the 1970's. Threats to this species include habitat loss, climate change, over-collection, and disease. The IUCN has listed the green salamander as "Near Threatened" and South Carolina has listed the green salamander as "Critically Imperiled."
We conducted surveys to determine factors effecting detection and abundance of green salamanders in South Carolina.
Detection of green salamanders was affected by time of day (with increased probability later in the day). Abundance of green salamanders was affected by aspect, habitat size, and elevation (with increased probability at western/southern facing slopes, bigger rock outcrops, and lower elevations)
Chapter 2: Integrating physiology into correlative models reveals habitat suitability under climate change for a threatened amphibian
MORE INFORMATION TO COME...
Other Projects
As part of our grant, we swabbed green salamanders for Ranavirus, Bsal, and Bd.
We studied the natural history of hatchling green salamanders.
At the Greenville Zoo, we assisted with the first annual Salamander Saturday event to spread awareness for these amazing creatures.
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