Habitat quality affects the incidence of morphological abnormalities in the endangered salamander Ambystoma ordinarium.

ABSTRACT: Identification of early warning signals previous to the occurrence of population decline or extinction is a major challenge for the conservation of animal species. Prevalence of morphological abnormalities in a population can be one of these signals. We registered morphological abnormalities in the salamander Ambystoma ordinarium. We also evaluated the relation between habitat quality and the prevalence of abnormalities in this species. We used scores from rapid bioassessment protocols (RBPs) to assess the habitat quality of streams inhabited by A. ordinarium. A preliminary survey indicated that of 29 streams where this species has been historically registered, 13 might have few or no A. ordinarium. The association between habitat quality and the incidence of morphological abnormalities wa

SUBMITTER: Soto-Rojas C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5593498 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature