QV Creekers continue their work to improve the breeding site of a number of amphibians at the Bell Acres Sewage Plant.
Salamanders caught during spring migration 2012 were given a small colored elastomer injection just under the skin (near underarms) to give each salamander a distinguishing mark that will allow us to identify each salamander individually. This procedure was done by Dr. Hanna from Robert Morris University. These elastomer markings are only visible using a black light, so they will not cause increased predation on the salamanders when they are in the wild.
This process will allow us to keep track of the individual salamanders that continue to migrate to our ponds each year. We also weigh and measure the snout vent length & total of all the salamanders caught. This will also show us how the salamanders are doing health-wise.
This experiment will shed light on the behaviors and natural history of these animals in the wild.
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