Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2005

Abstract

Collection of morphometric data is essential to many field studies of amphibian populations. One of the most common measurements obtained from salamanders is snout-to-vent length (SVL), a parameter useful in studies of sexual dimorphism (Bovero et al. 2003), demography (Semlitsch 1985), and systematics (Carlin 1997). Measuring salamander lengths in the field is challenging because of their small size, slimy texture, and propensity to maintain a nonlinear body position. Time expenditure is another concern, especially when researchers process large numbers of salamanders. Different measurement techniques vary in accuracy and precision, limiting the reliability of the data so that comparisons cannot be easily performed. We compare a new method of obtaining salamander SVL measurements to other commonly used methods.

Comments

Walston, L. J. and Stephen J. Mullin. "Evaluation of a new method for measuring salamanders." Herpetological Review 36, no. 3 (2005): 290-292.


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