Based on this I need to answer 2 things: 1) what is the current understanding of

Question

Based on this I need to answer 2 things:
1) what is the current understanding of the topic (create a bullet-point list of factors that previous studies tested) doesn’t have to be too long
2) what information from the background led to the hypothesis that “Salamanders are more abundant in areas with more soil moisture.” I. Introduction exceed the combined biomass of other terrestrial vertebrates in the eastern United States (Burton and Likens, 1975 The effects of habitat loss and degradation on amphibians Hairston, 1987), In the southern Appalachian Mountains, are often pronounced because of their relatively low vagilities headwater streams and associated riparian habitats contain and narrow habitat tolerances (Gibbs, 1998: deMaynadier and high levels of salamander diversity and abundance (e.g Hunter, 2000: Semlitsch, 2000 Houlahan and Findlay, 2003). Desmognathas, Eurycea, Gyrinophilus, Plethodon, and Many studies have shown a positive relationship between Pseudotriton; Petranka and Murray, 2001; Peterman et al. amount of forest cover and amphibian species occurrence and 2008). These salamanders are members of Plethodontidae richness (Gibbs, 1998; Guerry and Hunter,-2002-Trenham and and lack lungs with which to breathe, but instead utilize Shaffer, 2005)- Despite this generalization, determination of dermal respiration to breathe across the surface of the skin species-specific habitat use is necessary to understand the (Petranka, 1998). Many genera of plethodontid salamanders effects of habitat loss and degradation on amphibian popula-inhabit streams and have biphasic life cyeles that include an tions (Cushman, 2006). and develop conservation plans to aquatic larval stage that is followed by a terrestrial adult mitigate the effects of habitat alteration. stage (Petranka, 1998). While stream salamanders are Salamander communities make up an important ecologi- dependent upon aquatic habitats for reproduction and larval ·Co e rxnding author Plesert address Indiana University School of spp.) differ from stream salamanders in that they oviposit in E-mail address: jerawfordi00mymail.indstate.odu (.A. Crawford) cal component of many forested ecosystems and often development, terrestrial habitats are used for foraging a potentially overwintering (Barbour et al., 1969; Ashton and Ashton, 1978). Terrestrial woodland salamanders (Plethodon that they oviposit in Malisine Ty, 13 Holnsedt Halil, Terne Haus, IN 47809.9,Uniliod StatesSPp.) terrestrial habitats and have direct development without an aquatic larval stage (Petranka, 1998). Tel.: +1 812 237 3419

Explanation / Answer

1.

2. Plethodontid salamanders lack lungs and breath using surface of the skin known as dermal respiration. This unique feature led to the hypothesis that Salamanders are more abundant in areas with more soil moisture.

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