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| Blue-spotted x Jefferson hybrid Salamander |
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| Red-spotted Newt |
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| Red-backed Salamander |
Amphibian Cover Boards Yield Blue-spotted x Jefferson Salamanders
Blue-spotted x Jefferson hybrid Salamanders
were encountered today while checking amphibian cover board grids. A total of
fifteen grids yielded 2 Blue-spotted x Jefferson hybrids Salamanders, 11 Red-backed
Salamanders, and 12 Red-spotted Newts (eft stage). The Blue-spotted hybrid
Salamander is always an exciting amphibian to come across due to its endangered
species status in Connecticut. The cover boards are used as a method to monitor
their population at White Memorial.
Seven newly constructed cover board grids
were checked today for the first time. Only three of the grids had salamanders
underneath them, indicating that the grids without any salamanders were either
not placed in appropriate amphibian habitat or the boards have not been there
long enough to attract any salamanders. The recent hot weather also seemed to
dry out the leaf litter under many cover boards, which is not favorable
conditions for the moisture-loving salamanders. As the summer progresses I will
be interested to see what other kinds of amphibians we find under cover boards
and if the Blue-spotted x Jefferson hybrid Salamanders will become more
prevalent.
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