Biodiversity and national parks: What’s relevance got to do with it?

One needs only see the light of dis
covery in a child’s eyes at a park bioblitz
to become a believer in the value of living
nature. Such transformative experiences of discovery can be tightly coupled with
the diversity of life that has been entrusted
to the National Park Service.

We suggest that public education and
involvement in biodiversity discovery at
our national parks are vital to conserving
our national biodiversity for the future.
Biodiversity discovery in national parks, for
example via a public bioblitz, has proven to
generate transformative visitor experiences
that both educate and inspire through
direct public involvement in the discov
ery of living organisms in the parks, of
which it is estimated that 80–90% remain
unknown.



Because biodiversity discovery
activities often require only excited minds
and willing hands, they appeal to children
and nonscientists as much as they do to
experts in the subject matter.



http://www.nature.nps.gov/ParkScience/Archive/PDF/Article_PDFs/ParkScience31(1)SpecialIssue2014_14-16_Plumb_et_al_3776.pdf



Also see:

http://www.nature.nps.gov/ParkScience/Archive/PDF/Article_PDFs/ParkScience31(1)SpecialIssue2014_50-57_Interviews_3790.pdf

Eastern Gartersnake

Eastern Gartersnake: REPRODUCTION: This snake will mate on the 1st warm day after their emergence in spring. The young are born alive in late July or early August *1008,1101*. They have 7-101 young/litter *1104*, which are 5-9 inches long at birth *882*. A single female may be courted by many males at the same time, forming a "mating ball". The estimated age at maturity for females in Kansas is 2 years. Mitchell reports litter size to be between 9-57 (avg. = 26.2 /-16.8, n=22).*10760*

BEHAVIOR: This species is diurnal, becoming nocturnal in hot weather *2065*. It hibernates in November *2068,1008*, through March *2068*, in rocky outcrops with deep crevices or rotting stumps *2068*. The activity range is 2-3 acres, estimated. 482 garter snakes are estimated to inhabit a 48-acre study area *2070*. This species has a preference for damp habitat *2064,1008,883*, although it occurs in a wide variety of habitats *883,2064,1013* including the edges of waterways *882,1101*, meadows, marshes, woodlands, hillsides *882*, weedy or brushy areas and old fields *1013*. They are also in waste places in cities *1013*, and in city lots and dumps where there is moisture, or at least dampness *882*. A Kansas population experienced 36% first-year survival rate, a 50% adult annual survival rate, and an estimated natural longevity of 8 years.*10760* Thamnophis sirtalis will often flatten its head and anterior body and strike if molested. Juveniles especially will perform this behavior and will strike so forcefully that they may completely leave the ground. Adults will also spray musk from glands located at the base of the tail, and sometimes emit feces in attempts to discourage predators.*10760* Thorp has found this species in its natural habitats as well as on roads and under coverboards *11523*.

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Amphibia

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Amphibia: AMPHIBIAN CWCS SPECIES (25 SPECIES)
Common Name Scientific name
Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus
Barking Treefrog Hyla gratiosa
Bird-voiced Treefrog Hyla avivoca
Black Mountain Salamander Desmognathus welteri
Cumberland Plateau Salamander Plethodon kentucki
Eastern Hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis
Eastern Spadefoot Scaphiopus holbrookii
Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum
Gray Treefrog Hyla versicolor
Green Salamander Aneides aeneus
Green Treefrog Hyla cinerea
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Mole Salamander Ambystoma talpoideum
Northern Crawfish Frog Rana areolata circulosa
Northern Dusky Salamander Desmognathus fuscus
Northern Leopard Frog Rana pipiens
Redback Salamander Plethodon cinereus
Southern Leopard Frog Rana sphenocephala
Southern Zigzag Salamander Plethodon ventralis
Spotted Dusky Salamander Desmognathus conanti
Streamside Salamander Ambystoma barbouri
Three-lined Salamander Eurycea guttolineata
Three-toed Amphiuma Amphiuma tridactylum
Wehrle's Salamander Plethodon wehrlei
Western Lesser Siren Siren intermedia nettingi
Wood Frog Rana sylvatica

Southern Zigzag Salamander

Southern Zigzag Salamander: REPRODUCTION: Females deposit eggs shortly after moving to underground retreats in late spring or early summer. Eggs are attached within cave formations by sticky membranes. Incubation is about 3 months. Average clutch size is approximately 5 ova.*11305* Habitat: Talus slopes are very important to this species as well as rock crevices that provide access to deep underground passages. This may be important for overwintering.*11305*

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - Salamanders of TN

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - Salamanders of TN: The northern zigzag salamander (Plethodon dorsalis, Family: Plethodontidae - pictured) is one of our most abundant species and is found throughout the eastern two-thirds of the state. The similar looking, closely related southern zigzag salamander (Plethodon ventralis, Family: Plethodontidae - not pictured) has a very small range along the eastern border of Tennessee. But as these two were just recently separated into two species, more research needs to be conducted to determine the true range of the southern zigzag salamander. Both of these salamanders are relatively small (6 – 11 cm) and exist in two color morphs (phases). They may be a uniform brownish-gray color (lead morph) or a dark base color with an orange or red zigzag pattern (striped morph) extending down the back that straightens out when it reaches the base of the tail. Both color morphs may have light metallic flecks on the back and sides; the belly is mottled with tiny black, white and orange speckles. These salamanders prefer moist forested slopes, caves and rocky hillsides. Females use underground retreats in which to lay and brood their eggs.

Southern Zigzag Salamander | Outdoor Alabama

Southern Zigzag Salamander | Outdoor Alabama:



HABITAT: They prefer upland rocky woodlands dominated by hardwoods, most often encountered under rotten logs and rocks. They are also quite common near springs and mouths of caves.
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FEEDING HABITS: Zigzag salamanders forage along the forest floor in search of small insects.

AmphibiaWeb - Plethodon ventralis

AmphibiaWeb - Plethodon ventralis: 1. Historical versus Current Distribution. Southern zigzag salamanders (Plethodon ventralis) occur in scattered sites from northern Mississippi east-northeast to southeastern Virginia, including sites in northern Alabama and Georgia, eastern Tennessee, and western North Carolina. With the exception of local extirpations due to habitat destruction and modification, their current distribution is likely similar to their historical distribution, but there has been no documentation of their historical distribution.