Population decline of northern dusky salamanders at Acadia National Park, Maine, USA

We investigated and reviewed the current and historic distribution of northern dusky salamanders ( Desmognathus fuscus fuscus) in Acadia National Park (ANP), Maine, USA during 1938–2003. Historical data indicate that northern dusky salamanders were once widespread and common in ANP. We conducted int...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological conservation Vol. 130; no. 2; pp. 230 - 238
Main Authors: Bank, Michael S., Crocker, Jeffrey B., Davis, Shirley, Brotherton, David K., Cook, Robert, Behler, John, Connery, Bruce
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2006
Elsevier
Subjects:
Amphibia. Reptilia
Amphibian declines
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Caudata
Conservation biology
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
Desmognathus fuscus fuscus
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Habitat
Headwater streams
Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking
Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
United States
North America
Maine
America
USA, Maine
Conservation biology
Habitat
Headwater streams
Amphibian declines
Desmognathus fuscus fuscus
Caudata
Amphibia
Amphibian declines;Conservation biology;Desmognathus fuscus fuscus;Habitat;Headwater streams
Biology
Population decline
Freshwater environment
National park
Aquatic environment
Vertebrata
Population dynamics
Stream
Environmental protection
ISSN:0006-3207, 1873-2917
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Summary:We investigated and reviewed the current and historic distribution of northern dusky salamanders ( Desmognathus fuscus fuscus) in Acadia National Park (ANP), Maine, USA during 1938–2003. Historical data indicate that northern dusky salamanders were once widespread and common in ANP. We conducted intensive surveys for stream salamanders during 2000–2003 and observed only two adult northern dusky salamanders on one stream. No eggs or larvae were observed. Although the cause of the observed population decline is unknown, we identify multiple potential stressors including stocking of predatory fishes, fungal pathogens, substrate embeddedness, and widespread pollution (i.e., from atmospheric pollutants) of surface waters at ANP. Our data suggest that ANP streams may no longer be suitable for northern dusky salamanders. This investigation is the first to document the decline of a stream dwelling amphibian species in a national park (i.e., areas that are not subject to obvious habitat loss or major changes in land use) with widespread mercury contamination of its surface waters.
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ISSN:0006-3207
1873-2917
DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2005.12.033