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USGS · 70179633

Unusual subterranean aggregations of the California Giant Salamander, Dicamptodon ensatus

Gary M. Fellers·Leslie L. Wood·Sarah Carlisle·David Pratt
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Abstract

Larval Dicamptodon are one of the most abundant vertebrates in headwater streams in the Pacific Northwest. Their numbers and biomass can exceed those of all other amphibians, and of salmonid fishes. By contrast, metamorphosed Dicamptodon are only found infrequently, usually during formal surveys using pitfall traps, cover boards, or time constrained surveys However, we found two aggregations (23 and 27 individuals) of metamorphosed Dicamptodon ensatus during a culvert removal project at Point Reyes National Seashore, California. Furthermore, we found an additional 23 terrestrial D. ensatus in terrestrial habitat adjacent to the culverts. We did not expect these aggregations because metamorphosed individuals are so rarely encountered, and aggregations are likely to increase competition and predation in a species known to feed regularly on vertebrate prey. Deteriorating culverts might provide an unusually high-quality habitat that leads to aggregations such as we describe. Our observations may provide insight into the natural haunts of D. ensatus—underground burrows or caverns—and if so, then aggregations may be normal, but rarely seen.

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Gary M. Fellers, Leslie L. Wood, Sarah Carlisle, David Pratt. 2010. Unusual subterranean aggregations of the California Giant Salamander, Dicamptodon ensatus. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70179633

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