As habitat and water quality changes, monitoring amphibians is increasingly important- they act as the "canaries in the coalmine" of our wetlands. Salamanders are an important part of the food chain, and many are totally dependent on the largely-decreasing wetlands and vernal pools. Below are a few salamander surveys I've been involved in.
Jug Bay closely monitors the hydrology and productivity of their vernal pools. This involves measuring water depth, egg mass counts, and dip-net samples. Four obligate amphibian species are found on site: Marbled Salamander, Spotted Salamander, Wood Frog, and Eastern Spadefoot.
SPOTTED SALAMANDER EGG MASSES RANGE FROM OPAQUE TO TRANSPARENT; YOU CAN SPOT THE DEVELOPING LARVAE INSIDE.
MARBLED SALAMANDERS BREED IN THE FALL, THEIR LARVAE OVERWINTER IN VERNAL POOLS.
Although egg mass and larvae count give us a fair idea of the salamander populations present on site, we can get a another measure of productivity through pit-fall trap captures. These structures streer small woodland species into a trap, much like an pound net for fish. In addition to salamanders, we often find small snakes and interesting invertebrates.
The Tiger Salamander is Maryland's largest salamander, but unfortunately changes to the landscape (mostly agricultural) has greatly limited its distribution and earned it a state-endangered status. Only a few breeding sites are left in Maryland, and they are closely monitored by DNR. Fortunately, during my last survey we counted over 200 egg masses at one site- one of the best results in years.
THIS ADULT WAS FOUND DEAD DURING OUR SURVEY. IT WAS SENT TO THE LAB FOR AUTOPSY TO DETERMINE IF ITS DEATH WAS PATHOGENIC.
TIGER SALAMANDER EGGS ARE SIMILAR TO THE SPOTTED BUT HAVE A THICKER JELLY CASING AND LIGHTER COLORED YOLKS.