Unique Herpetofauna of Murphy Lake State Game Area, Tuscola County, Michigan : Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) and Six-Lined Racerunner (Aspidscelis sexlineata)

Abstract

Four chapters are included in this thesis. The first chapter is an introduction that provides background information about Desmognathus fuscus and Aspidoscelis sexlineata. The second chapter includes two publications and a presentation abstract. The first publication, "Geographic Distribution for Desmognathus fuscus," was published in Herpetological Review in December 2005. This was the first documented record of D. fuscus in Michigan. The second publication is tltle "Un-weathered (new) artificial cover objects effectively sample Plethodontid Salamanders in Michigan" which will be published in the December 2007 issue of Herpetological Review. The presentation abstract is titled "Northern Dusky Salamder: (Desmognathus fuscus): First State Record, Tuscola County, Michigan" which was presented at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan in December 2005. The third chapter is a manuscript written for publication titled "Aspects of the natural history of a disjointed popoulation of Six-lined Racerunners, Aspidoscelis sexlineata, located in Murphy Lake State Game Area, Tuscola County, MIchigan that will be submitted for publication after completion of this thesis. The final chapter is a discussion of how and whether or monitor and manage these disjointed populations. The literature cited for the introduction and discussion are presented together at the end of the discussion. The literature cited for the middle chapters are presented after each chapter.