by Riley Hilsman
Salamanders are important to study because they are a wonderful indicator species. Salamanders are great indicator species for several reasons. Firstly, plethodontid salamanders are lungless, which allows for simpler experimentation of their respiration rates. These plethodontid salamanders occupy a small territory size, are sensitive to environmental changes, typically occur in high densities, and are generally long-lived.
By studying these indicator species, we can understand how our environment is changing. Through experimentation, we can determine plethodontids’ physiological sensitivity and then determine the level of environmental indication that these salamanders can demonstrate to us. This relationship between the salamanders’ physiology and the environment is referred to physiological ecology.
Physiological ecology is important because it shows us how physiology can be affected by the changing environment. We can extrapolate this data found through studying salamander physiology and apply it to the animal kingdom. We can predict how other animals will respond to environmental changes based on how salamanders respond. In addition we can keep an eye on climate trends and predict fates of the forests in which these salamanders are found by studying their physiological responses.
In the laboratory, we can determine plethodontid CTmax and CTmin for physiological processes, two temperatures at, beyond which, these salamanders lose the ability to perform necessary physiological functions. Once determining these temperatures, we can analyze salamander migration patterns in a specific location, like a single mountain. If migration patterns show that salamanders are moving up the mountain, then we predict that temperatures at the bottom of the mountain have exceeded the plethodontids’ CTmax (given that all other experimental variables are accounted for). We know this because we know that mountains are cooler and wetter towards the top and tend to be warmer and drier at the bottom.
Once we compile all of this information and are able to extract these patterns, we can understand why studying salamanders is important and why studying physiological ecology is equally important.
Salamanders are important to study because they are a wonderful indicator species. Salamanders are great indicator species for several reasons. Firstly, plethodontid salamanders are lungless, which allows for simpler experimentation of their respiration rates. These plethodontid salamanders occupy a small territory size, are sensitive to environmental changes, typically occur in high densities, and are generally long-lived.
By studying these indicator species, we can understand how our environment is changing. Through experimentation, we can determine plethodontids’ physiological sensitivity and then determine the level of environmental indication that these salamanders can demonstrate to us. This relationship between the salamanders’ physiology and the environment is referred to physiological ecology.
Physiological ecology is important because it shows us how physiology can be affected by the changing environment. We can extrapolate this data found through studying salamander physiology and apply it to the animal kingdom. We can predict how other animals will respond to environmental changes based on how salamanders respond. In addition we can keep an eye on climate trends and predict fates of the forests in which these salamanders are found by studying their physiological responses.
In the laboratory, we can determine plethodontid CTmax and CTmin for physiological processes, two temperatures at, beyond which, these salamanders lose the ability to perform necessary physiological functions. Once determining these temperatures, we can analyze salamander migration patterns in a specific location, like a single mountain. If migration patterns show that salamanders are moving up the mountain, then we predict that temperatures at the bottom of the mountain have exceeded the plethodontids’ CTmax (given that all other experimental variables are accounted for). We know this because we know that mountains are cooler and wetter towards the top and tend to be warmer and drier at the bottom.
Once we compile all of this information and are able to extract these patterns, we can understand why studying salamanders is important and why studying physiological ecology is equally important.