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THE ECOLOGY CLASS PREPARED SALAMANDER DRIFT FENCES IN FEBRUARY 2007

March 1, 2007 was the Big Night for Spotted Salamanders at Guion Pond
 

Vernal pool naturalist Mike Hayslett explains to BIOL 224 students
(and Professor Fink) how to install a drift fence
 
 

I can't say that I really, heartily enjoyed digging trenches and laying the fences, but it was all worth it.. M.H.
 
 

We installed five drift fences in Guion Woods: two below the dam of the pond, to capture the spotted salamanders arriving to breed; and three in the woods, to determine how much of the forest is used by the salamanders.  The bottom of the aluminum flashing is buried 4-6 inches below the soil surface, and the fence is supported by wooden stakes.  At approximately 3 m intervals, 2L cans are buried on opposite sides of the fence as pitfall traps.  Holes in the bottom of the cans allow water to drain out, and small sticks and leaves are placed inside to give animals shelter.
 

AFTER THE BIG NIGHT WE ENTERED A LOT OF DATA

I enjoyed doing the field work outside with the animals in their habitat. It will be very interesting to analyze data that we collected ourselves - I've never done the entire research process like this before. It's wonderful to realize how much life and activity there is going on around us that we're usually completely unaware of. S.K.

AND THE SALAMANDERS PRODUCED A LOT OF EGGS
 

The adult spotted salamanders remained in the pond for 1-14 days.  In a heavy rain on 15 March, Dr. Fink observed a combined emigration and immigration of several hundred individuals.  Salamanders were both leaving the pond and arriving for another round of breeding.

Jennifer Summerfield is taking advantage of the abundance of egg masses, to conduct research on the effect of crayfish on the hatching of the eggs.
 
 
http://www.biology.sbc.edu/photosforBioWeb/SpSalSpring07/spotsalMar07b.html
 

 

 
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Last modified March 2008