Microhabitats of a Terrestrial Forest Salamander

Abstract

The above-ground density of Plethodon cinereus did not vary over 22 sampling days during spring and summer, even during seven-day periods without rain. Surface density was not correlated with amount of rainfall, but microhabitat choice was so correlated: the percentage of salamanders under rocks and logs increased and the percentage in the leaf litter decreased with decreasing rainfall. These data suggest that the P. cinereus population does not move underground (where food is scarce) during short dry periods but instead that it maximizes the amount of time spent on the surface of the ground (where prey are abundant).