Reproductive status of Plethodon cinereus along vertical gradients in West Virginia

Mizuki Takahashi

In this picture I am holding an Andrias japonicus, or Japanese Giant Salamander, while visiting my home country.

Undergraduate and subsequent degrees: Ph.D. University of Memphis, TN (Enrolled in 2002), M.S. Marshall University, West Virginia (2002), M.S. University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (1998), B.S. University of Tsukuba, Ibaragi, Japan (1996)

I am a graduate student from Japan. I moved to the United States in the summer of 2000 when I began studying amphibians and reptiles under Dr. Pauley's supervision. My primary interest is evolutionary ecology, as well as conservation of amphibians (especially salamanders). I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. under Dr. Paris at the University of Memphis in Tennessee.

Thesis topic:

Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus

The Red-backed Salamander is a small (5.7 - 10 cm) eastern species of Plethodon (lungless salamanders). It usually has a straight-edged red stripe down the back as you see the picture. They have a prolong mating season that lasts from autumn through early spring. Males breed annually whereas females breed annually or biennially. In WV, this salamander is one of most common species and its distribution is probably statewide except for the counties along the Ohio valley. This picture was taken in Pocahontas Co. in WV in October 2001.

Photo by Mizuki Takahashi

Thesis Title: Reproductive status of Plethodon cinereus along vertical gradients in West Virginia

Plethodon cinereus has a broad distribution throughout the northeastern United States, ranging from southern Quebec and Nova Scotia to southern North Carolina. Studies from New York, Michigan, Tennessee and Maryland show slight regional differences in mating seasons. However, little emphasis has been placed on phenology due to elevation. In West Virginia, P. cinereus is found statewide up to an elevation of 4,800 feet, but is not found in the counties bordering the Ohio River. They have not only a wide latitudinal range but also a wide vertical range. We picked three populations at different elevations (>4000, 3500- 3000 and 2500-2000 ft) and dissected 20 individuals (10 males and 10 females) from each population in order to assess egg development and sperm waves. We also collected environmental data at each population site. By comparing the time of reproductions of these populations with the environmental data, we determined the relationship between climatic factors and the phenology along vertical gradients in West Virginia.

Thesis link.

Please feel free to contact me by email at: mtakahash@memphis.edu