MULTISCALE APPROACHES TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTS OF VARIOUS ANTHROPOGENIC DISTURBANCES ON STREAM-INHABITING AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: MCINTIRE-STENNIS
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1001968
• Project Start Date: Feb 1, 2014
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2017
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
500 S LIMESTONE 109 KINKEAD HALL
LEXINGTON,KY 40526-0001

Performing Department
Forestry & Natural Resources

Non Technical Summary
Streams and riverine environments represent critical habitat for numerous wildlife species, especially reptiles and amphibians. Unfortunately, many streams and rivers have seen recent levels of unpresedented, human-induced disturbance. In Kentucky, mountain-top removal significantly alters water quality, urbanization within watersheds changes the hydrology of these systems, and timber harvest often smoothers streams in sediment for decades after tree removal. Collectly, these forces alter patterns of distribution and abundance. How do we ensure that populations of reptiles and amphibians persist in stream and riverine environments? Knowledge of local population parameters, such as annual survival, recruitment, and movement may provide the information necessary to conserve populations. For example, knowledge of the structure of populations and dispersal rates among populations in different landscape informs estimates of the minimum area required to prevent local extinction and the resiliency of populations to disturbance. The goal of this project is to provide information on patterns of distribution and abundance of reptiles and amphibians, and the local-scale demographic processes the influence these large-scale ecological patterns.

Animal Health Component

50%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

40%

Applied

50%

Developmental

10%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
135	0830	1070	100%

Knowledge Area
135 - Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife;

Subject Of Investigation
0830 - Wild animals;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;

Keywords

urbanization

mountaintop removal

timber harvest

survival

movement

Goals / Objectives
I seek to find answers to two general questions in aquatic ecology and conservation: 1) How does anthropogenic disturbance within streams and stream catchments influences patterns of occupancy, abundance and species richness of reptiles and amphibians? 2) How do local demographic processes interact with spatial patterns in stream networks to influence broader ecological patterns? This integrative approach, linking ecological patterns to mechanisms at various scales, will result in effective, biologically-base conservation and management strategies for stream-inhabiting amphibians and reptiles in Kentucky and beyond

Project Methods
I seek to find answers to two general questions: 1) How does anthropogenic disturbance within streams and stream catchments influences patterns of occupancy, abundance and species richness of reptiles and amphibians? 2) How do local demographic processes interact with spatial patterns in stream networks to influence broader ecological patterns? This integrative approach, linking ecological patterns to mechanisms at various scales, will result in effective, biologically-base conservation and management strategies for stream-inhabiting amphibians and reptiles in Kentucky and beyond. Below, I outline specific projects and corresponding methods (i.e., field methods, analyses, efforts) that address the general questions posed above. Project 1: How does anthropogenic disturbance within streams and stream catchments influences patterns of occupancy, abundance and species richness of reptiles and amphibians? Procedures and Methods I will focus on three ubiquitous types of anthropogenic disturbance in Kentucky: 1) surface mining, 2) urbanization, and 3) timber harvesting. All three disturbances are known to impact lotic systems, although the degree of impact is likely variable. Animals will be sampled using active searches in streams, and count and/or presence absence data will be collected at each sites. The condition of each sampled stream will be evaluated through qualitative and quantitative measures and, depending on the specific sub-project, a water sample will also be collected and water chemistry will be analyzed. Each site will be sampled 3-4 times (depending on the objective) and I will employ state-of-the-art statistical techniques, including hierarchical Bayesian and Likelihood models, to provide robust estimates of occupancy, abundance and species richness. This modelling will allow for an evaluation of how disturbance impacts population metrics. Project 2: How do local demographic processes interact with spatila patterns in stream networks to influence broader ecological patterns? Procedures and Methods I will conduct the studies that address Project 2 in stream networks in eastern Kentucky and central Kentucky. Each stream network will consist of two pairs of first-, second-, and third-order streams. This design will allow me to answer questions regarding the effects of stream geometry on movements and survival. Salamanders and water snakes will be captured using active search survey methods. Upon capture, the longitudinal position of each individual in the reach will be recorded. Additionally, individuals will be measured (both snout-to-vent and total length), weighed, and individually marked using either visible implant elastomer (VIE) or passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Multistate mark-recapture models will be used to estimate: 1) probabilities of within-network versus out-of-network movement, 2) survival probabilities, 3) capture probabilities, and 4) transition probabilities among life stage-reach states. Several models will be evaluated representing different hypotheses pertaining to reach specific survival and transition probabilities. From this research, outputs will be evaluated via the production of peer-reviewed publications and research presentations.

Progress 02/01/14 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?I am currently advising or co-advising three graduate students (J. Hutton, J. McKenzie, M. Lambert). Mason Murphy graduated with a MS in Biology from my lab in May 2016; he is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Biology at Miami University (Ohio). Christian Oldham and Sara Beth Freytag graduated with MS degrees in Forest and Natural Resource Sciences in late 2016. I serve on the committee of 4 MS students (UK), one Ph.D. students (UK - Biology). Two undergraduate students (R. Pagano, J. Thomas) participate in research in my lab. A highschool student (Ethan Martion; STEAM Academy Lexington) also interned in my lab during 2017. Students collaboratorsparticipated in the following presentations in 2017. 1. P.M. Hime, S.J. Price, S. Unger, J. Briggler, A. McMillan, M. Freake, A. Drayer, M. Foley, D. W.Weisrock, D.W. and E. Lemmon. 2017. What the hellbender? SNP-based species delimitation in North America's largest salamander. 8th Hellbender Symposium . Jackson, MS. 2.. McKenzie, J.M., S.J. Price, L.J. Fleckenstein, A.N. Drayer and J.M. Lorch. 2017. Assessment of snake fungal disease in Kentucky. Southeastern Partners in Amphibian and Reptiles Conservation Annual Meeting (Poster). Little Rock, AR 3. Hutton, J. S.J. Price, S.Richter. 2017. Dietof the Cumberland Plateau Salamander in old growth forest in southeastern KY.Southeastern Partners in Amphibian and Reptiles Conservation Annual Meeting (Poster). Little Rock, AR How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We continue to conduct extension and outreach throughout the commonwealth of KY. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Several projects were completed, others continue and a few iniated under these goals. Our research onsalamander populations in eastern KY continues to be a productive system. We recently had 2 papers accepted that focus on salamander diet (which may be affected by anthropogenic disturbance; both led by graduate student Hutton), once paper accepted on population structure in a fully aquatic salamander (Murphy et al. in press)and a fourthpaper, co-authored with S.B. Freytag (a recent graduate of our MS program), models therole of landscape context on salamander population dynamics. This research has recently led to funding from KY Department of Fish and Wildife Resources to examine the influence of anthropogenic land-use on the regionally-endemic streamside salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) in north central KY. As mentioned in previous reports, we continue our studies of snake demography throughout KY. We currently have one manuscript in review (McKenzie et al. in review EcoHealth) and several other papers closeto submission. I have no graduate students complete there degrees in 2017. I anticipate two students will graduate by May 2018. I continue to receive funding from KDFWR (mentioned above), US Forest Service, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, and Department of Energy. Currently, my lab had 11 papers in review - some but not all mentioned in products. We had 6 papers accepted or published in 2017.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hutton, J.M., S.J. Price, S.C. Richter. in press. Diet of the Black Mountain Salamander (Desmognathus welteri) in Southeastern Kentucky. Herpetological Review.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Hutton, J.M., S.J. Price, S.C. Richter. 2017.Diet of the Cumberland Plateau Salamander (Plethodon kentuckii) in an old growth forest in southeastern Kentucky. American Midland Naturalist 178:144-150.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Agha, M., S.J. Price, A. J. Nowakowski, B. Augustine and B.D. Todd. 2017. Mass mortality of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina) due to upper respiratory disease and associated with atypical cold temperatures and Ranavirus. Diseases of Aquatic Animals 124:91-100.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Agha, M., B. D. Todd, B. Augustine, J. M. Lhotka, L. J. Fleckenstein, M. Lewis, C. Patterson, J. W. Stringer, S. J. Price. In review. Effects of gap-based silviculture on thermal biology of a terrestrial reptile. Wildlife Research
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Price,S.J., S. B. Freytag, S. J. Bonner, A. N. Drayer, B. L. Muncy, J. M. Hutton and C.D. Barton.Mountaintop removal mining influences stream salamander population dynamics in central Appalachia (Kentucky, USA). Diversity and Distributions
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: McKenzie,J.M.,S.J.Price, J.L. Fleckenstein, A. N. Drayer, G. M. Connette, E. Bohuski, J. M. Lorch. in review. Field diagnostics and seasonality of Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in wild snake populations. EcoHealth
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Murphy, M. K. Jones, S.J.Price, D.Weisrock. in press. A genomic assessment of population structure in an aquatic salamander identifies the roles of spatial scale, barriers, and river architecture. Freshwater Biology

Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?I am currently advising two graduate students (J. HuttonJ. McKenzie). Mason Murphy graduated with a MS in Biology from my lab in May 2016; he is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Biology at Miami University (Ohio). Christian Oldham and Sara Beth Freytag graduated withMS degrees in Forest and Natural Resource Sciences. I serve on the committee of six MS students (UK), two Ph.D. students (UK). Two undergraduate students (J. Matthews, MichaelaLambert) participate in research in my lab. A highschool student (McKenzie Lambert; STEAM Academy Lexington) also interns in my lab. Students collaborators (bold) participated in the following presentations in 2016. 1. Weisrock, D.W. , P.M. Hime, S.J. Price, S. Unger, J. Briggler, A. McMillan, M. Freake, A. Drayer, M. Foley, and E. Lemmon. 2016. What the hellbender? SNP-based species delimitation in North America's largest salamander. Evolution. June 17-21, 2016. Austin, TX. 2. Freytag, S.B., S.J. Price, S.J. Bonner, B. L. Muncy, A. N. Drayer and C.D. Barton. 2016. Occupancy dynamics of stream salamanders in degraded and reference headwater streams. Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting 30 March-2 April, Concord, NC. 3. Price, S.J. , B.L. Muncy, S.J. Bonner, A. Drayer and C.D. Barton. 2016. Effects of mountaintop removal mining and valley fills on occupancy and abundance of stream salamanders. Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting 30 March-2 April, Concord, NC. 4. McKenzie, J.M.,S.J. Price, L.J. Fleckenstein, A.N. Drayer and J.M. Lorch. 2016. Assessment of snake fungal disease in Kentucky. Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting 30 March-2 April, Concord, NC. 5. Freytag, S.B., S.J. Price, S.J. Bonner, B. L. Muncy‡, A. N. Drayer and C.D. Barton. 2016. Occupancy dynamics of stream salamanders in degraded and reference headwater streams. Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Annual Meeting (Poster). February 19-21. Camp McDowell, Nauvoo, AL. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We continue to participate in outreach and extension throughout the Commonwealth. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to continue our research and outreach efforts and continue to submit research papers for publication while seeking additional funds for our researhc projects.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Several research projects related to the two general questions (see above) were completed or are near completion during this review period. We recently had three papers accepted that focus on amphibian and reptile declines and anthropogenic disturbances. Projects near completion include include a paper in preparation on the examining the population dynamicsof stream salamanders to disturbance in Appalachia. Christian Oldham (current graduate student) has completedhis thesis work on patterns of water snake occupancy and abundance in relationship to anthropogenic stressors. Christian had one of his thesis chapters published (Oldham et al. 2016). As mentioned in my previous report, I leveraged some of Christian's data to recieve funding (as related to question 2) from National Geographic Society to studyan emerging fungal disease. I also served as a co-author on a review article on snake fungal disease (Lorch et al. 2016). In addition to Christian Oldham, I had two additional students (Sara Beth Freytag and Mason Murphy) graduate from my lab in 2016. New projects were initiated (or will be in early 2017) with funds provided by Department of Energy, US Forest Service, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. I have served as lead or coauthor on 10 journal articles (some of which were reported as in press or accepted in previous reports). I was awarded the senior research award at the annual meeting on the Association of Southeastern Biologists.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Lorch, J.M., J.S. Lankton, S. Knowles, K. Michell, J.L. Edwards, J.M. Kapfer, R.A. Staffen, E.R. Wild, K.Z. Schmidt, A.E. Ballmann, D. Blodgett, T.M. Farrell, B.M. Glorioso, L.A. Last, S.J. Price, K.L. Schuler, C.E. Smith, J.F.X. Wellehan Jr., and D.S. Blehert. Snake fungal disease: An emerging threat to wild snakes. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Murphy, M.O., S.J. Price, P.M. Hime, A.N. Drayer and D.W. Weisrock. In press. A review and comparison of common mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) capture methods and the description of a new trap design. Herpetological Review.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Oldham, C., J.L. Fleckenstein, W. Boys, and S.J. Price. 2016. Enhancing ecological investigations of snakes with Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) telemetry. Herpetological Review. 47: 385-388
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Todd, B.T., J.P. Rose, S.J. Price and M.E. Dorcas. 2016. Using citizen science data to identify the sensitivity of species to human land use. Conservation Biology. DOI:10.1111/cobi.12686
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Grant, E.H.C., D.A.W. Miller, B.R. Schmidt, M.J. Adams, S.M. Amburgey, T. Chambert, S.S. Cruickshank, R.N. Fisher, D.M. Green, B.R. Hossack, P.T.J. Johnson, M.B. Joseph, T. Rittenhouse, M. Ryan, J.H. Waddle, S.C. Walls, L.L. Bailey, G.M. Fellers, T.A. Gorman, A.M. Ray, D.S. Pilliod, S.J. Price, D.Saenz and E. Muths. 2016. Quantitative evidence for the effects of multiple drivers on continental-scale amphibian declines. Scientific Reports. 6:25625
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Todd, B.D., A.J. Nowakowski, J.P. Rose, S.J. Price. Species traits explain sensitivity to habitat loss estimated from citizen science data. Biological Conservation.

Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?I am currently advising four graduate students (S. Freytag, M. Murphy, C. Oldham, J. McKenzie). Mickey Agha graduated with a MS in Forestry from my lab in May 2015; he is now pursuing his Ph.D. in Ecology at UC-Davis. I serve on the committee of six MS students (UK), two Ph.D. students (UK)and on MS student from Eastern Kentucky University. Three undergraduate students (L. Fleckenstein, M. Lambert, C. Carter) participatein research in my lab. During the review period (2015), my studentspresented 7 presentations at meetings and conferences. Hime P.M., S.D. Unger, A.M. McMillan, M. Freake, S.O. Nunziata, A.R. Lemmon,E.M. Lemmon, S.J. Price, R.N. Williams and D.W. Weisrock. 2015. Genome-scaleresolution of species boundaries and demography in Cryptobranchus. Seventh Hellbender Symposium, 14-17 June, Saint Louis, MO. Murphy, M.O., S.J. Price, W. Haag, and D. Weisrock. 2015. Assessing congruency ofpopulation structure and gene flow between freshwater mussels and their hosts: agenomic approach. Society for Freshwater Science annual meeting, 17-21 May, Milwaukee WI. Price, S.J. , B. Muncy, S. Bonner, C. Barton, and A. Drayer. 2015. Impacts ofmountaintop removal mining and valley fills on stream salamander occupancy,abundance and species richness. Society for Freshwater Science annual meeting, 17-21May, Milwaukee WI. Murphy, M.O., M. Agha, T.A. Maigret, M.E. Dorcas and S.J. Price. 2015. The effectsof urbanization on body size of larval stream salamanders. Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting 1-5 April, Chattanooga, TN. Agha, M., B. Augustine, J.E. Lovich, D. Delaney, B. Sinervo, M.O. Murphy, J.R.Ennen, J.R. Briggs, and S.J. Price. 2015. Using motion-sensor camera technology to infer seasonal activity and thermal niche of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii).Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting 1-5 April, Chattanooga, TN. Agha, M., J.E. Lovich, J.R. Ennen, B. Augustine, T.R. Arundel, and S.J. Price. 2015.Exploring the spatial dynamics of tortoise burrow placement in an industrial landscape.Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting 1-5 April, Chattanooga, TN. Yates, W.T., M. Agha, J.R. Ennen, J.E. Lovich, C.H. Ernst, E.M. Ernst, and S.J.Price. 2015. Delayed emergence dynamics in Emydid neonate turtles of North America.Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting 1-5 April, Chattanooga, TN. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We continue to participate in outreach and extension throughout the Commonwealth. In 2015, we providedthe following outreach. Educational Programs and Activities Reptile and amphibian diversity in Kentucky. East Jessamine High School, Ms. Jill Messer's Environmental Science class, Nicholasville KY, October 21, 2015 Effort resulted in contact with approximately 50 students Amphibians and wetlands in Kentucky. UK Water Week event, Leestown Middle School, Lexington KY, October 20, 2015 Effort resulted in contact with approximately 200 students and staff Conversation on Conservation. UK Water Week event, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, October 19, 2015 Effort resulted in contact with approximately 60 participants Reptiles and amphibians in Kentucky. Navigators Troop, St. Raphael's Episcopal Church, Lexington KY, October 7, 2015 Effort resulted in contact with 35 troop members and parents Salamanders and stream research at UK's Robinson Forest. UK Sustainability Group Event, Robinson Forest, Clay Hole KY, September 19, 2015 Effort resulted in contact with 15 undergraduate students Reptiles and Amphibians in Kentucky's Forests. Kentucky Wood Expo, Lexington KY, September 18th and 19th 2015. Effort resulted in contact with approximately 300 attendees, including approximately 70 middle school students Reptiles and amphibians in Kentucky. Kentucky State Fair, Louisville, KY, August 26th, 2015 Effort resulted in contact with approximately 200 attendees Reptiles and Amphibians in Kentucky. Floracliff and Maywoods Bioblitz event. Fayette and Garrard Counties, KY, June 20 and 21st, 2015 Effort resulted in contact with approximately 70 attendees Reptiles and Amphibians of Kentucky. Family Science Night, Yates Elementary School, Lexington KY, April 30, 2015 Effort resulted in contact with approximately 150 K-5th graders and families Reptiles, Amphibians and Wildlife-related Science. Arlington Elementary School, Lexington KY, April 21, 2015. Effort resulted in contact with approximately 60 4th graders Herpetology and Wildlife-related Science at University of Kentucky. Bryan Station High School, Lexington KY, March 17, 2015. Effort resulted in contact with approximately 150 10th graders Reptiles and Amphibians of Kentucky. Yates Elementary School, Lexington KY, March 10, 2015 Effort resulted in contact with approximately 40 4th graders Reptiles, Amphibians and Wildlife-related science. Carter G. Wilson Academy, Lexington KY, March 3, 2015. Effort resulted in contact with approximately 50 8th graders What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to continue our research and outreach efforts and continue to submit research papers for publication.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Several research projects related to the two general questions (see above) were completed or near completetion during this review period. We recently had two papers accepted for publication that focus on the response of stream salamanders to anthropogenic disturbance in the Cumberlands. One of these papers was accepted to Journal of Applied Ecology and used B. Muncy's (former graduate student) data set to estimate the response of salamanders (as measured through occupancy and abundance) tolandscape scale disturbancein eastern Kentucky. A second paper, a collaborative effort between my lab and researchers at Sewanee, examined the responses of salamanders to headwater dams.Projects near completion includeinclude areview paper in preparation on the responses of stream salamanders to disturbance in Appalachia. Christian Oldham (current graduate student) is getting closer to completing his thesis work on patterns of water snake occupancy and abundance in relationship to anthropogenic stressors. As mentioned in my previous report, I have leveraged some of Christian's data to apply for funding (as related to question 2), especially as related to an emerging fungal disease. One paper was published on this disease during the review period and numerous other papers are in preparation. Mason Murphy (UK Biology Ph.D. student co-advised by Dr. Weisrock) is close to defending his thesis on gene flow and population structure on the river-dwelling salamanders, Necturus maculosus. We recieveda grantfrom Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation tofund the genomic work in Mason's study. Similarily, in collaboration with Dr. Weisrock and Paul Hime (Biology, Ph.D. student), we are finally closing in completing a conservation genetics manuscipt on hellbenders. Simon Bonner (Western Ontarion), Brian Hallstead (USGS), Grant Connette (Smithsonian)and I are actively developing new statistical models toestimate population parameters of reptiles and amphibians. Overall, we expect several of these study's will result in cahnges in land management and restoration, especially in eastern Kentucky. For example, our research has demonstrated that streams on reclaimed mined land have reduced stream salamander occupancy, abundance and species richness compared to control streams (Muncy et al. 2014; Price et al in press). These findings suggest that current reclamation approaches, as required through the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, do not offset the impacts of mining on stream biota In 2015, I have served as lead or coauthor on 10 journal articles.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Cecala, K.K., S.J. Price, and M.E. Dorcas. 2015. Stream salamanders accurately assess size-dependent predation threats. Herpetologica 71:184-189
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Agha, M., J. E. Lovich, J. R. Ennen, B. Augustine, T. R. Arundel, M. O. Murphy, D. Delaney, J. Briggs, K. Meyer, C. Bjurlin, M. Austin, S. Madrak, L. Tennant, and S. J. Price. 2015. Turbines and terrestrial vertebrates: variation in tortoise survivorship between a wind energy facility and an adjacent undisturbed wildland area in the desert southwest (USA). Environmental Management 56:332-341
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Oldham, C.R., S.J. Price, W.A. Boys, and L.J. Fleckenstein. 2015. Regina septemvittata (Queensnake). Defensive behavior/death-feigning. Herpetological Review 46:51-52.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Agha, M., M.O. Murphy, J.E. Lovich, J.R. Ennen, C.R. Oldham!, K. Meyer, C. Bjurlin, M. Austin, S. Madrak, C. Loughran, L. Tennant, and S.J. Price. 2015. The effect of research activities and winter precipitation on defensive voiding behavior of Agassizs desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii). Wildlife Research 41:641-649.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Agha, M., D. Delaney, J.E. Lovich, J. Briggs, M. Austin, and S.J. Price. 2015. Nelson's big horn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) trample Agassiz's desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) burrow at a California wind energy facility. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Science 114:58-62.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Agha, M., B. Augustine, J.E. Lovich, D. Delaney, B. Sinervo, M.O. Murphy!, J.R. Ennen, R. Cooper and S. J. Price. 2015. Using motion-sensor camera technology to infer seasonal activity and thermal niche of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Journal of Thermal Biology 49/50: 119-126
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Price, S.J., C.R. Oldham, W.M. Boys, and L.J. Fleckenstein. In press. First record of snake fungal disease in Kentucky. Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Price, S.J. �, B.L. Muncy!, S.J. Bonner, A. Drayer and C.D. Barton. in press. Effects of mountaintop removal mining and valley fills on the occupancy and abundance of stream salamanders. Journal of Applied Ecology.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Murphy, M.O., M. Agha!, T.A. Maigret, S.J. Price, and M.E. Dorcas. In press. The effects of urbanization on body size of larval stream salamanders. Urban Ecosystems
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bonner, S.J., M.R. Schofield, P. Noren and S.J. Price. In press. Extending the latent multinomial model with complex error processes and dynamic Markov bases. Annals of Applied Statistics.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Kirchberg, J., K.K. Cecala, S.J. Price, E. White and D. Haskell. accepted. Evaluating the impacts of small impoundments on stream salamanders. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems.

Progress 02/01/14 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? I am currently advising four graduate students and five undergraduate students participate with research in my lab. Brenee' Muncy graduated with a MS in Forestry from my lab in May 2014. During the review period, Price lab students have presented 24 oral and poster presentations at meetings and conferences. These include: Maigret, T.A., J.J. Cox, D.R. Schneider, C.D. Barton, S.J. Price and J.L. Larkin. 2014.Effects of timber harvest within streamside management zones on salamander populations in ephemeral streams of southeastern Kentucky. The Kentucky Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Meeting. 20-21 February, Barren River Lake State Park, KY Muncy, B.L., C.D. Barton, and S.J. Price. 2014. Effects of mountaintop removal andvalley fill on stream salamander communities. The Kentucky Chapter of the WildlifeSociety Annual Meeting. 20-21 February, Barren River Lake State Park, KY. Hime, P.M., S.J. Price, and D.W. Weisrock. 2014. Leveraging genomics to informCryptobranchus conservation: Sex-linked genes, range-wide phylogenetics and species delimitation, and field surveys across Kentucky. Southeast Partners in AmphibianandReptile Conservation Annual Meeting (Poster). February 13-16, 2014. Lake Cumberland, KY. Maigret, T.A., J.J. Cox, D.R. Schneider, C.D. Barton, S.J. Price and J.L. Larkin. 2014.Effects of timber harvest within streamside management zones on salamander populations in ephemeral streams of southeastern Kentucky. Southeast Partners inAmphibian and Reptile Conservation Annual Meeting, 13-15 February, LakeCumberland, KY. Agha, M. , M. O. Murphy, J. E. Lovich, J. R. Ennen, C. R. Oldham, K. Meyer, C. Bjurlin, M. Austin, S. Madrak, C. Loughran, L. Tennant, S.J. Price. 2014 Research activities and winter precipitation influence voiding behavior in Agassiz's desert tortoise (G. agassizii).Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Annual Meeting,13-15 February, LakeCumberland, KY. Muncy, B.L., C.D. Barton, and S.J. Price. 2014. Effects of mountaintop removal andvalley fill on stream salamander communities. Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Annual Meeting, 13-15 February, LakeCumberland, KY. Agha, M., M.O. Murphy, J.E. Lovich, J.R. Ennen, C.R. Oldham and S.J. Price.2014. Research activities influence voiding behavior in desert tortoises (Gopherusagassizii). Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Annual Meeting, 13-15 February, LakeCumberland, KY. Oldham, C.R , L.J. Fleckenstein III and S.J. Price. 2014. Novel application ofpassive integrated transponder (PIT) telemetry in natricine snakes. Southeast Partners inAmphibian and Reptile Conservation Annual Meeting, 13-15 February,LakeCumberland, KY. Hime, P.M. , S.J. Price, and D.W. Weisrock. 2014. Leveraging genomics to understandand conserve an imperiled North American giant salamander. University of KentuckyEcoLunch Seminar Series (Oral Presentation). February 28, 2014. Lexington, KY. Agha, M. , M.O. Murphy, J.E. Lovich, J.R. Ennen, C.R. Oldham and S.J. Price. 2014.Research activities influence voiding behavior in desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii).Midwest Ecology and Evolution Conference, 1-2 March, Dayton, OH. Muncy, B.L., C.D. Barton, and S.J. Price. 2014. Effects of mountaintop removal andvalley fill on stream salamander communities. Association of Southeastern BiologistsAnnual Meeting 2-5 April, Spartanburg, SC. Oldham, C.R., L.J. Fleckenstein III and S.J. Price. 2014. Novel application ofpassiveintegrated transponder (PIT) telemetry in natricine snakes. Association of Southeastern Biologists Annual Meeting 2-5 April, Spartanburg, SC. Maigret, T.A., J.J. Cox, D.R. Schneider, C.D. Barton, S.J. Price and J.L. Larkin. 2014.Effects of timber harvest within streamside management zones on salamanderpopulations in ephemeral streams of southeastern Kentucky. Association of SoutheasternBiologists Annual Meeting 2-5 April, Spartanburg, SC. Murphy, M.O., S.J. Price, and D.W. Weisrock. 2014. Host before Habitat? Assessing congruency inpatterns of gene flow in an imperiled freshwater mussel and its vertebratehost. Evolution. June21-25, 2014. Raleigh, NC. Agha, M. ,M. O. Murphy, J. E. Lovich, J. R. Ennen, C. R. Oldham, K. Meyer, C. Bjurlin, M. Austin, S. Madrak, C. Loughran, L. Tennant, and S.J. Price. 2014 Researchactivities andwinter precipitation influence voiding behavior in Agassiz's desert tortoise(G. agassizii).57th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians andReptiles hosted by Society of Icthyologists and Herpetologists. July 30-August 3, 2014.Chattanooga, TN. Murphy, M.O., S.J. Price, and M.E. Dorcas. 2014. The effects of urbanization onsalamander body size using a before-after control-impact design. 57th AnnualMeeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles hosted by Society ofIcthyologists and Herpetologists. July 30-August 3, 2014. Chattanooga, TN. Agha, M., J. E. Lovich, J. R. Ennen, B. Augustine, T. R. Arundel, M. O. Murphy, D.Delaney, J. Briggs, K. Meyer, C. Bjurlin, M. Austin, S. Madrak, L. Tennant, and S. J.Price. 2014. Turbines and terrestrial vertebrates: Variation in tortoise survivorshipbetween a wilderness and wind energy facility in the desert southwest, USA. 57th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles hosted by Society of Icthyologists and Herpetologists. July 30-August 3, 2014. Chattanooga, TN. Hime P.M., S.O. Nunziata, J.T. Briggler, J.S. Reece, S.J. Price, and D.W. Weisrock.2014. Genomic approaches to Cryptobranchus conservation. 57th Annual Meeting of theSociety for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles hosted by Society of Icthyologistsand Herpetologists. July 30-August 3, 2014. Chattanooga, TN. Oldham, C.R , L.J. Fleckenstein III and S.J. Price. 2014. Novel application ofpassiveintegrated transponder (PIT) telemetry in natricine snakes. 57th Annual Meetingof the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles hosted by Society of Icthyologists and Herpetologists. July 30-August 3, 2014. Chattanooga, TN. Agha, M., B. Augustine, M. O. Murphy, J. E. Lovich, D. Delaney, J. R. Ennen, B. Sinervo, R. Cooper and S.J. Price. 2014. Inferring seasonal activity and thermal niche ofAgassiz's desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) through the application of motion sensorcamera technology.Symposium for the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, co-hosted by TSA and IUCN.August, 2014. Orlando, FL. Lewis, M.A, M. Agha, and S.J.Price. 2014. Preliminary analysis of the use of open canopy gaps by the eastern box turtle (Terrapene. c. carolina). Symposium for the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises andFreshwater Turtles, co-hosted by TSA and IUCN.August, 2014. Orlando, FL. Lewis, M.A., M. Agha, and S.J .Price. 2014. Preliminary analysis of the use of opencanopy gaps by the eastern box turtle (Terrapene.c.carolina). Natural Resource and Environmental Science Internship/Research Forum. October 9, 2014. Lexington, KY. Hime P.M, S.O. Nunziata, J.T. Briggler, J.S. Reece, S.J. Price, and D.W.Weisrock. 2014. Genomic approaches to Cryptobranchus conservation. AZA Amphibian Taxon Advisory Group Advanced AmphibianCourse in HellbenderManagement and Conservation (Invited Oral Presentation). November 9-12, 2014. St.Louis, MO Hime, P.M., S.J. Price, and D.W. Weisrock. 2014. Genomic insights intoamphibian evolution and conservation. SUNY Buffalo Biology Department Seminar Series (Invited Oral Presentation). November 1, 2014. Buffalo, NY. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Although Price does not have an extension component to his DOE, we'veattempted to beactive participants in education outreach over the review period where we disseminate some of the results from our studies. Examples of events are listed below: 1) Reptiles and amphibians in Kentucky. Kentucky Biodiversity Day. State Capital Annex Building, Frankfort, KY, February 27, 2014. Effort resulted in contact with approximately 150 participants 2) Amphibians of the Ohio River Valley Woodlands. Ohio River Valley Woodlands and Wildlife Workshop. General Butler State Park, Carrollton, KY, March 22, 2014. Effort resulted in contact with 21 participants 3) Reptiles, amphibians and wildlife-related research in the Department of Forestry, University of Kentucky. Ingels Hall Program, University of Kentucky, 27 March 2014. Effort resulted in contact with approximately 40 participants 4) Mountain Agriculture Days. Robinson Center for Appalachian Resources Sustainability, Quicksand, KY, September 27, 2014. Effort resulted in contact with approximately 200 participants What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We plan to continue our research efforts, as mentioned above, and continue to publish our findings.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Several projects relating tothe twoquestions (above)have been completed or near completetion during this review period including 1) a book chapter on the effects of urbanization on aquatic environments and wildlife, 2) a review paper on the effects of urbanization on stream salamanders, 3)several published paper on the effects oflandscape changeonreptileand amphibianpopulations. Brenee' Muncy (Forestry M.S. graduate) had her thesis recently accepted for publication in the Journal Biological Conservation; additionally, we have a second paper in preparation and book chapter planned with collaborators from University of West Virginia (Drs. Petra Wood and Jen Williams) on mountaintop removal and herpetofauana. Christian Oldham (Forestry Graduate student) is close to completing his thesis on the effects of urban development on watersnake occupancy in central Kentucky. We've leveraged some of Christian's research to apply for grants to examine snake demographic processes (as related to Question 2), especially as they related to an emerging fungal pathogen. The Price lab has also initiated studies on other major drivers of land-use change in region, especially timber harvest.Mickey Agha (Forestry Graduate student) is examining the effects of forest management on amphibians and reptiles in central Kentucky (Berea Forest) via radiotelemetry of box turtles and coverboard surveys. Mariah Lewis (undergraduate, Natural Resources major) is using thermal data to answer questions about habitat use and thermal biology of turtles in managed forests. Preliminary data from the Berea research was incorporated into a USDA-NIFA-AFRI grant proposal, with collaborators from US Forest Service and Michigan Tech.Mason Murphy (Biology Ph.D. student co-advised by Dr. Weisrock, UK Biology) is examining connectivity and dispersal within populations of a freshwater mussel and its' salamander host by using genomic techniques. Similarly, in collaboration with Dr. Weisrock and Paul Hime (Biology Ph.D. student), we have begun to employ genomics in our conservation-related research on Kentucky's giant salamander, the hellbender. Simon Bonner (UK Statistics), Brian Hallstead (USGS - Western Ecological Research Center), Jackie Guzy (University of Arkansas) and I are actively developing new statistical models to examine questions related to animal movement and growth, which aid in answering Question 1 and 2. We expect several of these studies will result in change in action, especially related to land management and restoration activities. . During the review period (2013-2014), I have served as lead or co-author on 15 peer-reviewed journal articles. I have five manuscripts in review.

Publications

• Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Price, S.J., J. L. Snodgrass, and M.E. Dorcas. 2014. Managing aquatic habitats for wildlife in urban areas. In R. McCleery, C. Moorman, and N. Peterson (eds), Urban Wildlife Science: Theory and Practice. Springer.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Muncy, B.L., S.J. Price and M.E. Dorcas. 2014. Capture probability and survivorship of the southern two-lined salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) in drought and non-drought conditions. Copeia 2014:366-371.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Maigret, T.A., J.J. Cox, D.R. Schneider, C.D. Barton, S.J. Price and J.L. Larkin. 2014. Effects of timber harvest within streamside management zones on salamander populations in ephemeral streams of southeastern Kentucky. Forest Ecology and Management 324:46-51.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Akins, C.D., C.D. Ruder, S.J. Price, L.A. Harden, J.W. Gibbons, and M.E. Dorcas. 2014. Factors affecting temperature variation and habitat use in free-ranging diamondback terrapins. Journal of Thermal Biology 44:63-69
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Barrett, K. and S.J. Price. 2014. Urbanization and stream salamanders: a review, conservation options, and research needs. Freshwater Science 33:927-940
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hime, P.M., A.N. Drayer, and S.J. Price.2014. Necturus maculosus. Larval guarding. Herpetological Review. 45:474
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hime, P.M. and S.J. Price. 2014. Aneides aeneus. Death feigning/immobility. Herpetological Review. 45:470
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Guzy, J.C., S.J. Price and M.E. Dorcas. 2014. Using multiple methods to assess detection probabilities of riparian-zone anurans: implications for monitoring. Wildlife Research 41:243-257
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Muncy, B.L., S.J. Price, S.J. Bonner and C.D. Barton. 2014. Mountaintop removal mining reduces stream salamander occupancy and richness in southeastern Kentucky (USA). Biological Conservation 180:115-121
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Witczak, L.R., J.C. Guzy, S.J. Price, J.W. Gibbons, and M.E. Dorcas. In press. Temporal and spatial variation in survivorship of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin). Chelonian Conservation and Biology.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Fleckenstein, J.L., M. Agha, and S.J. Price. In press. Terrapene carolina. Diet. Herpetological Review