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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009 10:04:20 PM |
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      SALAMANDERS: THE CANARIES OF STREAMS 
"Most of the energy that enters a stream, enters in the first mile from all the leaves and all the debris. So these headwater streams are critically important in supplying a great amount of energy to the system," said Dr. Thomas Pauley, a Herpetologist at Marshall University. Salamanders are common in streams and are good forecasters of their health.
To do a comprehensive survey, researchers must go from the field to the lab. The Wildlife Resource section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources helps fund the state amphibian and reptile museum at Marshall University, one of largest in the region.
The amphibian and reptile museum offers researchers historical information. Pauley says it's a comprehensive collection. "All 15,000 specimens are now in a database and we can go to that number that will tell us where we collected it, when we collected it and any other information." Differences discovered after comparing historical records and current data, helps researchers come to a conclusion about the health of a salamander and a particular stream.
If you are interested in more information, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources offers a free brochure about small stream animals including toads and lizards. To get one, send your name and address to: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section P.O. Box 67 Elkins, WV 26241 Or you can call 304-637-0245 or send an email request to jiseli@dnr.state.wv.us Links to learn more
Salamanders of West Virginia Learn about the Marshal University: Herpetology/Ornithology Lab Find out more about reptile and amphibian species in West Virginia: West Virginia Reptiles and Amphibians There is a huge photo gallery of amphibians at: Living Underworld The W.Va. DNR has free non-game publications at: http://www.dnr.state.wv.us/wvwildlife/nongame/publications.htm |
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GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA'S WILDLIFE  
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