Field Methods
Our research investigates
the prevalence and severity of Bd among two salamander populations
of the North Carolina Western Piedmont region: Northern
Dusky salamanders (Desmognathus fuscus) and Southern
Two-lined salamanders (Eurycea cirrigera). Sampling
took place during the months of January and February in 2008,
months whose average temperature provide the potential for greater
levels of infection. Sampling took place at five sites in Mecklenburg,
Iredell, and Cabarrus counties, where up to 30 adults of each
species were captured at each site.
We followed the specific procedure outlined by
Brem et al. 2007 (For more on sampling, Brem
et al. 2007). Specifically, we sampled Bd by swabbing the
underside of each salamander while captured in a plastic bag.
The plastic bag is used both as a means of containing/restraining
the animal and as a way to prevent cross contamination between
different animals caught by the same individual. The samples
were stored dry at -20°C.
Northern Dusky Salamander (Top) and Southern Two-lined Salamander (Bottom)
Photo
credits can be found on acknowlegements page
This site was designed and created by G. Bomar as part of a summer undergraduate
research program at Davidson College.
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