Katie Murphy

Research:

The presence of roads in amphibian habitats has been proven to have detrimental effects on some populations. Research shows terrestrial salamanders are less likely to cross a road, especially if the road is on a steep incline. Such fragmentation has been hypothesized to cause long-term problems within the population (by stopping gene flow and changes in predation). The majority of work on salamanders and road fragmentation has been done on Plethodon cinereus (Red backed Salamanders), due to their wide and populous distribution. This is problematic due to the high variation of salamander terrestrial range movements. There is little research published on movements of less common salamanders such as Plethodon nettingi (Cheat Mountain Salamanders), Desmognathus ochrophaeus (Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamanders), Plethodon wehrlei (Wehrle's Salamanders) and the Plethodon glutinosus (Northern Slimy Salamanders). Research was conducted within the Monongahela National Forest using florescent pigment powder as a non-invasive means of tracking. A salamander was dipped in the powder during the day, and then tracked at night from 6 to 36 hours later using a UV light. Salamander movement ranged from 10 cm to 800 cm, many salamanders did not move at all between when they were dipped and when they were tracked. Preliminary results have shown that salamanders avoid man-made trails within their habitats. Data will be analyzed to determine whether distance and direction moved varies by size, sex or species

Gyrinophilus porphyriticus dipped in pigment powder Under Uv Light

Trail left by a salamander under Uv light

About Me:

Born and raised in West Virginia. I received my Bachelor's in Biology from Bethany College. My email is murphy88@marshall.edu.