Rough Skinned Newt By Raeth Morgan

1. By Raeth J. Morgan Rough Skinned Newt Taricha Granulosa

2. What are the factors that have changed the seasonal migration of the Southern Oregon stock. Chemical composition of nearby breeding ponds? Predator avoidance? Dramatic climate change? Goals of the study

3. One of the most abundant Salamander species in the Pacific Northwest. Only two subspecies exist. Ssp Granulosa and Mazamae (only found in Crater Lake, Oregon). Often referred to as “Orange Bellied Newt” or “ O regon Newt”. Two stages of life: Aquatic and Terrestrial. What is a Rough skinned Newt?

4. Adult size ranges from 3 ½” to 8” total length Medium sized lunged salamander with dry granular skin with no coastal groves. The most toxic Newt in North America. What is a Rough skinned Newt?

5. Habitat

6. The rough skinned newts generally breed in every month except November. Lower elevations: tend to breed February to May. Higher elevations : breed late spring to early fall. Mating generally occurs in the water. Eggs are laid 5-10cm under the water surface. Directed to breeding ponds by a built in directional “homing” sense. Breeding: When where and why.

7. Migration toward breeding waters triggered by first seasonal rains. Temperatures : 60°-70°F summer, 40°-50°F Require low to moderate Ph levels Breeding: When where and why.

8. Several studies have been conducted with conflicting results. The consensus is that the Southern Oregon Newt displays a unusual migration. Copyright © 2008 Richard Cameron The Problem.

9. Newt samples were collected along Eel Lake in Tugman State Park Oregon. Collection Site

10. EEL LAKE William Tugman State Park, Oregon

11. Large deep coastal lake located at the mouth of the Umpqua river. Surface elevation: 16m. Surface Area: 141 ha. Volume 17,554,100 m(cubed) Depth: 20.9 m EEL Lake

12. Population counts were conducted from October 2009 to November 2009. Newts were caught by hand and lengths recorded. Capture sites were ¼ in circumference and sites were ½ mile(approx) away from previous sites. Methods

13. In September 2001 DEQ found the lake to be anoxic at the deepest part. In October 2009 Algae Bloom advisory Water sample was taken in mid November 2009. Ph levels greater than 8.8 Ammonia .50 ppm Nitrate/Nitrite 0.0 ppm EEL Lake

14. Rough Skinned Newt(Taricha granulosa ). Yellow-spotted Millipede ( Harpaphe haydeniana ). Pacific Banana Slug ( Ariolimax Columsianus ). Unidentified Beetle species. Common Garter snake ( Thamnophis Butleri ) . Species Observed

15. Rough Skinned Newt-135 Yellow Spotted Millipied-40 Pacific Banana Slug-63 Beetle-43 Common Garter Snake-1 Species Count

16. Species abundance

17. The rough Skinned Newt was more active during temperatures ranging from 52°to 62°. All sampled Newt species were heading away from breeding grounds. None of sample were in “breeding” mode. Migration

18. High Ph levels. Chemical run off from residential fertilizers. Containments from recreational fishing. Toxic algae blooms. Predator avoidance. The Rough Skinned Newts have only one natural predator: The common Garter Snake. Possible reasons for change in migration.

19. Climate change. Seasonal rains late in season. Cooler temperatures earlier in season. Drop in water level. Possible anoxic conditions. Possible reasons for change in migration.

20. Study was preliminary in nature, Further more long term, in depth studies needed to narrow down possibilities. Rough Skinned Newts are affected by biotic conditions. Results show correlation between the absence of predators and Newt abundance. Conclusion

21. Thank You