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Caudata.org Grant Poll

Which Project should get the 2009 Caudata.org Grant? (READ THIS ENTIRE THREAD BEFORE VOTING)

  • Distributional modelling and ecological research on Salamandra algira in Morocco with emphasis on di

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Effect of magnetic nanoparticles on newt behavior - Notophthalmus viridescens

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Conservation status and systematics of Chiropterotriton multidentatus (Caudata: Plethodontidae) - Ch

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Is chytridiomycosis affecting Appalachian salamanders? - Appalachian salamanders

    Votes: 2 10.0%
  • Habitat preferences of the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) within its refugee’s canals - Axolotl/Ambys

    Votes: 1 5.0%
  • Pandi mushroom-tongue salamander Project: Conservation status assessment of a threatened Andean sala

    Votes: 2 10.0%
  • Comparative landscape genetics of two amphibians endemic to the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt of Centr

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Systematics of the Pseudoeurycea cephalica group - Pseudoeurycea cephalica

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Conservation Genetics of Hellbender Salamanders in New York: the use of mtDNA for Population Structu

    Votes: 6 30.0%
  • The Salamanders of the Valley de Sibundoy-Mocoa (Putumayo, Colombia) transect - Colombian Bolitoglos

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Continued Surveys for the Fungal Pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Georgia Salamander Assem

    Votes: 4 20.0%
  • Systematics and phylogeny of the species complex Bolitoglossa franklini / lincolni (Caudata: Plethod

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Variation in Four-toed Salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum, Microhabitat Use Across Age Groups and Se

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Population status, presence of Batrachochythridium dendrobatidis (Bd) and the effect of the Transoce

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Survey and assessment of aquatic salamander species in the French Creek Drainage of the Allegheny Ba

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Captive propagation of Endangered Guatemalan Salamanders - Guatemalan Bolitoglossa

    Votes: 3 15.0%
  • Survey of Chytrid fungus presence on the three species of salamanders in Peru - Bd in Peru

    Votes: 2 10.0%

  • Total voters
    20
  • Poll closed .
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taherman

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I didn't contribute to this donation drive, as I don't feel that my personal finances as a zookeeper are my strongest asset for contributing to amphibian conservation ;)

However, to play devil's advocate to what is now a clear leader in this donation drive...

Both of the hellbender populations being assessed in #9 fall within areas which were glaciated during the Wisconsinan (most recent) glaciation event, ending roughly 10,000 years ago. Although the Susquehanna River is unique in that it contains the only hellbender population which does not reside within the Mississippi River watershed, 10,000 years is a blink of an eye in terms of salamander mitochondrial genetics and I think it is highly unlikely that much, if any, genetic differentiation would be detectable between these two rivers. Broader scope genetic analyses have already been conducted on this species (Sabatino and Routman 2008; Routman et al. 1994; Routman 1993) which, as expected, showed that the deep genetic divergences occur in the southern populations. Sabatino and Routman (2008) included samples from both the Susquehanna and Ohio River watersheds and found them to be indistinguishable. Though this study may provide data which helps the state of New York allocate it's hellbender research resources, it probably won't have a major impact on salamander (or even hellbender) conservation writ large.

Though the hellbender's plight is extremely serious, a LOT of research attention and funding (relative to other salamanders) has already been directed at this species. It is on the verge of being federally listed, which will likely result in this attention and funding being vastly increased.

In the interest of transparency, it should be pointed out that I am affiliated with one of the other applications indirectly. It wasn't an easy decision to comment in this thread, because of that potential bias, though in the end I figure that I am a caudata.org member who may have more information at his disposal than others do, and my input might be useful. My comments above stem from my experience with salamander genetics rather than a bias towards other applications. I want to see this grant be used in a way which provides the greatest salamander conservation bang for your donation buck :)

-Tim
 
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John

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Just an fyi, there will be a second poll based on the applications that got most votes. I'm still mulling over whether or not this next poll will be decided by a committee or a poll like this one.
 

John

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I'm going to take the applications that received 2 or more votes and form a small committee to decide which should get the grant. I'll try to have this going in the next few days.
 
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