BE47 - Habitat Differences Between Larval and Adult Salamanders in Upstate South Carolina
SCURS Disciplines
Biology
Document Type
General Poster
Invited Presentation Choice
Not Applicable
Abstract
Due to their sensitivity to environmental changes, salamanders of the eastern U.S. act as vital indicator species for ecosystem health. The goal of this research was to survey salamander populations across Upstate South Carolina to compare the differences in habitat between larval and adult specimens. Locations included Issaqueena Falls, Waldrop Stone Falls, Table Rock State Park, Paris Mountain State Park, Todd Creek, and Bryant Pond on the campus of Southern Wesleyan University. It was predicted that salamander abundance and richness would be greater below dams and waterfalls in riparian areas, as many salamanders prefer highly oxygenated flowing water. However, as larval salamanders possess gills, they are aquatic, needing specific habitat arrangements. In contrast, adults are mostly terrestrial, and thus require slightly different habitats. Each of the sites listed above was surveyed on three separate occasions: once in early summer, once in midsummer, and once in late summer/early fall. At each site, 50 meters of stream was surveyed both above and below the dam or waterfall. Temperature, pH, and turbidity were recorded, and a densiometer was used to measure canopy cover. Upon observation, salamanders were caught using fine-mesh nets and were temporarily held in plastic bags to be weighed, measured for total length, and measured for snout-to-vent length (SVL). Following data collection, each salamander was returned to its site of capture. The results indicated that there is a notable difference in habitats between larval versus adult salamanders. Larval salamanders were found in silty or muddy substrates more than 80 percent of the time, while adults were found almost strictly in rocky areas. In addition, larval salamanders were more tolerant of full sun than the adults, which preferred canopy levels of 70 percent or more. These results have important implications for the conservation of salamanders and the well-being of riparian ecosystems as a whole.
Keywords
salamander, indicator species, dam, waterfall
Start Date
10-4-2026 9:30 AM
Location
University Readiness Center Greatroom
End Date
10-4-2026 11:30 AM
BE47 - Habitat Differences Between Larval and Adult Salamanders in Upstate South Carolina
University Readiness Center Greatroom
Due to their sensitivity to environmental changes, salamanders of the eastern U.S. act as vital indicator species for ecosystem health. The goal of this research was to survey salamander populations across Upstate South Carolina to compare the differences in habitat between larval and adult specimens. Locations included Issaqueena Falls, Waldrop Stone Falls, Table Rock State Park, Paris Mountain State Park, Todd Creek, and Bryant Pond on the campus of Southern Wesleyan University. It was predicted that salamander abundance and richness would be greater below dams and waterfalls in riparian areas, as many salamanders prefer highly oxygenated flowing water. However, as larval salamanders possess gills, they are aquatic, needing specific habitat arrangements. In contrast, adults are mostly terrestrial, and thus require slightly different habitats. Each of the sites listed above was surveyed on three separate occasions: once in early summer, once in midsummer, and once in late summer/early fall. At each site, 50 meters of stream was surveyed both above and below the dam or waterfall. Temperature, pH, and turbidity were recorded, and a densiometer was used to measure canopy cover. Upon observation, salamanders were caught using fine-mesh nets and were temporarily held in plastic bags to be weighed, measured for total length, and measured for snout-to-vent length (SVL). Following data collection, each salamander was returned to its site of capture. The results indicated that there is a notable difference in habitats between larval versus adult salamanders. Larval salamanders were found in silty or muddy substrates more than 80 percent of the time, while adults were found almost strictly in rocky areas. In addition, larval salamanders were more tolerant of full sun than the adults, which preferred canopy levels of 70 percent or more. These results have important implications for the conservation of salamanders and the well-being of riparian ecosystems as a whole.