Amphibian monitoring in the Reed College Canyon : spatial distribution of the Oregon salamander, "Ensatina eschscholtzii oregonensis"
author: Greg Dutton
advisor: Robert Kaplan
year: 2001
ABSTRACT: A population of Ensatina eschscholtzii oregonensis in the Reed College Canyon was examined to determine the spatial distribution of the population over time. Morphological characteristics were also examined with relation to sex, stratum, and temperature. Calculations using the Poisson distribution revealed that the population of Ensatina initially was randomly distributed in November, but by January, and through March, was distributed in a hyperdispersed manner. There was no significant effect of stratum or sex on morphological characteristics. However, at high temperatures larger females became more abundant, whereas males did not. As part of this study a monitoring array was put in place in the canyon, consisting of quadrats and artificial cover objects. This was done in part to facilitate the examination of spatial distribution, and to set up an amphibian monitoring regime that could be used for studies in the future.