Cindi with a Common Snapping Turtle

Cindi Lucas

Thesis link

“COMPARISONS OF MORPHOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE STATUS OF PLETHODON GLUTINOSUS AT HIGH, MIDDLE, AND LOW ELEVATIONS IN WEST VIRGINIA”

 by Cynthia F. Lucas

 Plethodon glutinosus populations in West Virginia were looked at in three different elevations.  Objectives were to determine if there is enough difference in elevation to cause different populations to vary in morphology and reproduction. Nine morphological measurements were taken to represent both size and proportional shape. Sexual dimorphism was found in all measurements only in low elevations, males being larger (p<0.001-p=0.041).  Mean measurements between the three elevations showed significant differences (p<0.005) in all measurements excluding head width, tail length, and 3^rd digit length.  Salamanders were dissected; testes and vasa deferentia were removed from males and ovaries with follicles were removed from females.  Results showed males in lower and middle elevations deposit spermatophores May-July.  Low sample sizes in higher elevations provided inconclusive results.  Females of lower elevations lay eggs early-mid summer.  Middle and higher elevations results revealed a likely spring oviposition, or possibly a fall oviposition.