I stumbled across this article (Herpetological Conservation and Biology 5(1):149-154.) that may be of interest for Dicamptodon enthusiasts. It is an interesting find given the elusive nature of transformed adults, and maybe of interest for people considering habitat/tank mates for these poorly understood caudates. Here is the abstract:
Edit: It seems to me that this article may give some detailed locations and may be against site policies. Feel free to moderate or delete as necessary. I apologize for any trouble
UNUSUAL SUBTERRANEAN AGGREGATIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA
GIANT SALAMANDER, DICAMPTODON ENSATUS
GIANT SALAMANDER, DICAMPTODON ENSATUS
GARY M. FELLERS, LESLIE L. WOOD, SARAH CARLISLE, AND DAVID PRATT
Abstract.—Larval Dicamptodon are one of the most abundant vertebrates in headwater streams in the Pacific Northwest.
Their numbers and biomass can exceed those of all other amphibians, and of salmonid fishes. By contrast,
metamorphosed Dicamptodon are only found infrequently, usually during formal surveys using pitfall traps, cover
boards, or time constrained surveys However, we found two aggregations (23 and 27 individuals) of metamorphosed
Dicamptodon ensatus during a culvert removal project at Point Reyes National Seashore, California. Furthermore, we
found an additional 23 terrestrial D. ensatus in terrestrial habitat adjacent to the culverts. We did not expect these
aggregations because metamorphosed individuals are so rarely encountered, and aggregations are likely to increase
competition and predation in a species known to feed regularly on vertebrate prey. Deteriorating culverts might provide
an unusually high-quality habitat that leads to aggregations such as we describe. Our observations may provide insight
into the natural haunts of D. ensatus—underground burrows or caverns—and if so, then aggregations may be normal,
but rarely seen.
Abstract.—Larval Dicamptodon are one of the most abundant vertebrates in headwater streams in the Pacific Northwest.
Their numbers and biomass can exceed those of all other amphibians, and of salmonid fishes. By contrast,
metamorphosed Dicamptodon are only found infrequently, usually during formal surveys using pitfall traps, cover
boards, or time constrained surveys However, we found two aggregations (23 and 27 individuals) of metamorphosed
Dicamptodon ensatus during a culvert removal project at Point Reyes National Seashore, California. Furthermore, we
found an additional 23 terrestrial D. ensatus in terrestrial habitat adjacent to the culverts. We did not expect these
aggregations because metamorphosed individuals are so rarely encountered, and aggregations are likely to increase
competition and predation in a species known to feed regularly on vertebrate prey. Deteriorating culverts might provide
an unusually high-quality habitat that leads to aggregations such as we describe. Our observations may provide insight
into the natural haunts of D. ensatus—underground burrows or caverns—and if so, then aggregations may be normal,
but rarely seen.
Edit: It seems to me that this article may give some detailed locations and may be against site policies. Feel free to moderate or delete as necessary. I apologize for any trouble
