PREFERENCE FOR SOIL-MOISTURE, SOIL-PH, AND LIGHT-INTENSITY BY THE SALAMANDER, PLETHODON-CINEREUS

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.