3.2 Amphibians
population objectives related to species recovery thresholds. Priorities for other species groups have focused on collecting enough information to support valid population size estimates. Table 3.3 provides a list of existing resources on population target information appropriate to North Carolina. Te following sections of this Chapter provide information about each of the eight taxo- nomic groups reviewed by the Taxa Teams and marine, pelagic bird, and arthropod spe- cies. A few species of particular concern have been highlighted and recommendations specifc to certain species or guilds are provided in the discussion. Information about important natural communities in the state can be found in Chapter 4.
3.2 Amphibians 3.2.1 Introduction
Amphibians and reptiles are collectively known as herpetofauna and are commonly referred to as “herps” for short. Tey are often discussed as a group because they occupy many of the same habitats. In this document they are discussed as separate groups in order to present information about conservation and management concerns that are unique to each class of animals. Class Amphibia represents salamanders (including sirens and newts) and anurans (frogs and toads). Te North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (NCMNS) includes 92 species of amphibians on their checklists of North Carolina amphibians (http:// naturalsciences.org/research-collections/research-specialties/amphibians-reptiles).
Te southern Appalachian region is the world’s center for plethodontid salaman- der diversity (Ricketts et al. 1999) . Gradients in elevation, aspect, slope, and rainfall con- tribute to a range of available niches and habitats. Te North Carolina Herpetological Society (NCHS) (www.ncherps.org) notes there are more than 90 species of amphibi- ans in the state. According to the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Institute (SABI), nearly 10% of global salamander diversity and 10% of freshwater mussel diversity
Marbled Salamander (Patrick Coin, Flickr) https://www.fickr.com/photos/pcoin/361937330/ Used under license CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
occur in this region.
Many amphibians depend on fshless ponds for breeding and, in many cases, breeding sites are restricted to upland ephemeral pools. Because of the porous nature of their skins,
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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