Roe, Andrew (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill). Mentor: Kristine Grayson (University of Virginia). Terrestrial movement patterns of adult eastern red spotted newts, Notophthalmus viridescens.

Abstract: The eastern red-spotted newt ( Notophthalmus viridescens ) is one of the most widely distributed salamander species in North America . However, as with many pond breeding amphibians, little is known about the terrestrial portion of its life cycle. I examined the activities of emigrating, post-breeding adults to test the effects of sex and mass, as well as weather variables, on movement. Using fluorescent tracking methods, I measured emigration distance and terrestrial habitat use for two populations of red-spotted newts ( Notophthalmus viridescens ) at Mountain Lake Biological Station, in Giles County , Virginia . In a laboratory experiment I found that fluorescent powder is safe for use on terrestrial newts. In the field we showed that adult newts move long distances from ponds, at rates up to 100 m per night, and travel in much straighter paths than juveniles of the same species. Furthermore, they are often found on or very close to the surface, using forest debris such as logs and branches. These results have important implications for conservation efforts, indicating that size of terrestrial buffer zones required around wetlands may need to be significantly expanded to provide for effective protection of emigrating eastern red-spotted newts.