Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GADNR-2025-1 (submitted: 02/10/2025, status: approved)
Project Type: Masters Thesis Research
Application Title
Assessing Salinity Tolerance of Two-toed Amphiuma
Investigator Information
| Principal Investigator: | Checo Colon-Gaud | ||
| Home Institution: | Georgia Southern University | ||
| Award Information: | Georgia Southern University Graduate Student Organization Research Grant - $850 | ||
| Mailing Address: | 1332 Southern Drive | Phone Number: | |
| E-mail Address: | jccolongaud@georgiasouthern.edu | ||
| Statesboro, Georgia 30458 | |||
| Co-investigators: | Henna Gavem (Georgia Southern University) | ||
Project Abstract
Abstract (statement of purpose/ objectives/ methodology): Two-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma means) are large fully aquatic salamanders that occupy low swampy areas of the coastal plain. They play an important ecological role as "middle link" predators in the food web, consuming low-trophic organisms such as crayfish and are, in turn, depredated by high-level predators such as alligators and large birds. While A. means are relatively understudied, they have been documented on barrier islands along the Georgia coast, including Sapelo Island. These islands are inherently susceptible to climate change impacts including increased storm surge and saltwater intrusion. Populations of A. means on barrier islands are geographically isolated from the mainland and, therefore, may have an increased tolerance of saltwater when compared to inland populations. For my study, I will trap individuals throughout the coastal plain, including barrier islands and non-tidally influenced inland sites to assess general ecology, and to collect select individuals for salinity trials. All individuals will be weighed, measured, and a small piece of tail tissue will be used for ongoing genetic research before release. A subset of collected A. means will be exposed to various salt concentrations and their physiological responses in regards to respiration, behavior, hormones, and osmotic regulation will be quantified at the Georgia Southern Animal Facility. A suite of environmental parameters will also be collected, including pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and wetland characteristics. This study aims to provide novel information regarding A. means and to inform future management strategies for imperiled coastal freshwater habitats.
Project Location
Three sites located at:
31.5042, -81.2386
31.47, -81.2651
31.4254, -81.2819
These are all freshwater wetlands in which prior research has documented having A. means.
GPS Coordinates for Study Sites
I will provide a spreadsheet containing GPS coordinates for my study sites
Expected Start and End Dates of the Project
Start Date: 04/01/2025 End Date: 12/31/2026
Number and Frequency of People Accessing the Site
We anticipate that a small field crew of 3-5 will visit each site 1-2 times throughout the study period. Visits will include a day of trap setting and a subsequent day of trap retrieval.
Keywords Describing the Project
Equipment Deployed in the Field
Collapsible mesh Promar traps (15 traps) will be deployed overnight and checked the following morning. Traps are relatively small with an approximately 1 ft x 1 ft x 2 ft footprint. These baited traps will be deployed at 12 hour increments no more than once a month. Traps will be secured with thin rope to nearby trees/logs/stable habitat structures. Traps will be set allowing room for air to prevent death of obligate airbreathers (i.e. reptiles, adult amphibians, birds, etc.).
Plants and Animal Collecting
The target species for trapping efforts is the aquatic salamander Amphiuma means. Non-target bycatch (amphibians, fish, etc.) will be immediately released at point of capture after identification. Measurements from A. means will be collected in the field at point of capture and will include snout-vent-length, head length, head width, and mass. A small piece of tail tissue will be collected for ongoing genetic research. This sample additionally provides evidence of capture, preventing pseudoreplication in subsequent trapping events. A subset of captured Amphiuma (n<15) will be brought back alive to the Georgia Southern Animal Facility for salinity trials to assess physiological and behavioral responses to salinity.
Likely Impacts of the Project on the Site
Trapping will leave no permanent impacts to the site. Faunal impacts are expected to be minimal due to the presence of air in the trap sets and the selection of traps that minimize non-target bycatch. The short period of trap deployment (overnight) further decreases the risk to non-target fauna. Prior research has documented stable and robust populations of A. means on Sapelo Island at select locations. We are confident that the relatively small number of removed individuals (n<15) will have a minimal impact on the stability and persistence of utilized A. means populations.
Boardwalk Installation Plans
No
Expected persistence of site impacts after the research is concluded?
We do not expect any long term impacts to the study sites.
Community engagement summary
Research Permits:
Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division: GADNR-2025-1_Permit_SCP_Vives_2024-25_(1) (04/01/2024-03/31/2025)