Mt. Sugalski et Dl. Claussen, PREFERENCE FOR SOIL-MOISTURE, SOIL-PH, AND LIGHT-INTENSITY BY THE SALAMANDER, PLETHODON-CINEREUS, Journal of herpetology, 31(2), 1997, pp. 245-250
Habitat preference by Plethodon cinereus was examined by allowing sala
manders to choose among different combinations of soil moisture, soil
pH, and light intensity at varying levels. Although soil moisture, soi
l pH, and light intensity all significantly affected salamander distri
bution, soil pH was clearly the most influential factor. Interactions
between abiotic factors played only a minor role. Light intensity was
found to play a less substantial role in P. cinereus distribution than
suggested by previous studies; salamanders were less apt to move away
from light if they were already in locations with acceptable soil moi
sture/soil pH levels.