# Long-Term Surveillance of a Woodland Salamander Community with a Review of Long-Term Field Studies in Plethodontids

## TL;DR

This study tracked salamander populations over ten years to detect changes and understand ecological patterns in a woodland community.

## Contribution

The study provides a decade-long dataset on plethodontid salamander abundance and ecology, including a significant decline in one species.

## Key findings

- One salamander species (P. glutinosus) showed a significant decline in abundance over ten years.
- Three species (Eurycea bislineata, Plethodon cinereus, and P. electromorphus) showed no significant abundance trends.
- Ecological differences between P. cinereus and P. electromorphus suggest competition avoidance through microhabitat preferences.

## Abstract

Long-term field studies of free-living animals are rare but are very useful for detecting changes over time. We monitored a natural salamander community for ten years (2014–2023) in a protected forest (Wooster Memorial Park, OH, USA) to assess changes and to provide baseline documentation of occurrence and abundance. Our results demonstrated that one species showed a significant decline in abundance over time, while three others showed no change. We also report on ecological differences between two closely related species that occur together at our study site, as well as a variety of other natural history information from these species. Finally, we provide a brief review of other long-term field studies in plethodontid salamanders.

Long-term ecological data are rare but are highly desirable for assessing responses to ongoing environmental change. To assess temporal trends in abundance over time and establish a baseline for future comparison, we monitored a plethodontid salamander community for ten years. From 2014 to 2023, we sampled forest plots at Wooster Memorial Park (OH, USA) using a regular and standardized monitoring scheme. Of nine salamander species detected, four were common enough to permit statistical analysis. Three species (Eurycea bislineata, Plethodon cinereus and P. electromorphus) had no statistically significant abundance trends over time. The slimy salamander (P. glutinosus), however, showed a statistically significant decline in abundance. We also report on ecological differences between P. cinereus and P. electromorphus, which occur in sympatry at this site. Specifically, we document significant microhabitat differences between these species, which are suggestive of competition avoidance. Additional data are presented on color morph frequency, body size, sexual dimorphism, frequency of hybridization, mate choices, and phenology of surface activity. As global environmental change accelerates, such baseline information is essential to track organismal responses. We also provide a brief review of other long-term field studies in plethodontid salamanders.