Integrating ecological and community science data to understand patterns of colour polymorphism and social behaviour at the northern range limit of a plethodontid salamander.

ABSTRACT: Traditionally, scientists have relied on ecological surveys to gain information about wildlife; however, community-science data has recently emerged as a valuable resource in organismal research. In this study, we conducted ecological surveys in 23 forests in New Brunswick, Canada and extracted data from iNaturalist across the entire province to understand patterns of Eastern Red-backed Salamanders' colouration and sociality at the northern limit of its range. Ecological data revealed that adult salamanders were more likely to aggregate during the early spring and autumn, reflecting trends observed in other areas of their range. We also compared aggregation behaviour and colouration data between data collection methodologies and found that community-scientists are less likely to report agg

SUBMITTER: McCormick A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12456789 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature