Climate-mediated competition in a high-elevation salamander community

Journal of Herpetology
By: , and 

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Abstract

The distribution of the federally endangered Shenandoah Salamander (Plethodon shenandoah) is presumed to be limited by competition with the Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus). In particular, the current distribution of P. shenandoah is understood to be restricted to warmer and drier habitats because of interspecific interactions. These habitats may be particularly sensitive to climate change, though the influence of competition may also be affected by temperature and relative humidity. We investigated the response of P. shenandoah to competition with P. cinereus under four climate scenarios in 3-dimensional mesocosms. The results suggest that, although climate change may alleviate competitive pressure from P. cinereus, warmer temperatures may also significantly influence the persistence of the species across its known range.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Climate-mediated competition in a high-elevation salamander community
Series title Journal of Herpetology
DOI 10.1670/15-157
Volume 51
Issue 2
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher The Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 7 p.
First page 190
Last page 196
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