Survey of southern Missouri Plethodontidae in Ozark caves

Abstract

Plethodontidae is a large family of salamanders with a distribution ranging from eastern North Americato northern South America. Three genera and nine species occur in Missouri, most of which are typically found in cavesfor at least part of their lives. These species have been recorded to emerge from hibernation in early April and throughoutMay. This study shares the species abundance and diversity in ten Missouri Ozark caves: seven near St. Louis andthree near Springfield. Each cave was surveyed at least once between November 2021 and September 2022 using visualencounter surveys. Observational data were recorded without handling any individuals to minimize disturbance. Thethree caves near St. Louis had few to no salamanders present in early April, despite optimal weather conditions, buttended to have larger populations throughout the summer. Two caves near Springfield held at least a dozen individualsof multiple species in mid-April. Few individuals were recorded in the most southwestern cave sampled, potentiallydue to pollution or recent flooding. Our findings could aid others studying plethodontid salamanders to determine theprime conditions for emergence from hibernation, optimal habitats for different species in each cave zone, and potentialbiological or chemical impacts that could affect salamander abundance in caves.