mark-recapture (Ambystomatidae)

Knowledge graph centered on mark-recapture (Ambystomatidae) with 72 nodes and 152 connections. Top connected: Rushes, Erigeron, aquatic insects, Ambystoma, phenotypic plasticity.

Method synopsis

Annual capture-recapture surveys over 24 years to track individual survival, growth, reproduction and developmental pathways in a polyphenic salamander population. Combines individual marking with detailed morphological and reproductive measurements.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 27 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Polyphenism predicts actuarial senescence and lifespan in tiger salamanders (2024), Journal of Animal Ecology. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Annual salamander capture surveys
   Captured larval, paedomorphic and metamorphic salamanders using dip nets during ice-free summer months (usually May-September). Conducted captures 5-6 days per week with relatively equal sampling effort across all ponds.
   Quantities: 8,948 individuals captured over 24 years across 24 ponds, ranging from 388 (L03) to 3316 (L01) individuals at larval stageDuration: 5-6 days per week during summer months annually from 1990-2013Conditions: Ice-free summer months, typically May through September
   Equipment: dip nets
2. Individual marking and measurement
   Marked each salamander with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags or toe clips for individual identification. Recorded body length and mass, maturity status, sex, evidence of breeding condition, capture date, and pond occupancy for both larval/paedomorphic and non-breeding metamorphic individuals returning to ponds.
   Quantities: All 8,948 captured individuals were individually marked and measuredDuration: During each capture eventConditions: At time of capture during summer surveys
   Equipment: passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, toe clips, measurement tools for body length and mass
3. Age class assignment and morph classification
   Assigned age classes based on known cohorts and size distributions. Classified individuals as larvae, paedomorphs (sexually mature adults retaining larval aquatic characteristics), or metamorphs (terrestrial adults) based on development of gills, limbs, toes and sexual maturity indicators.

Typical Equipment

• long handled net
• Weatherport
• PIT tags
• toe clips
• tag reader
• measuring board
• Access database
• scale

Output Measurements

• individual identity
• snout-vent length
• total length
• body mass
• gill health
• body condition
• morph
• sex
• reproductive status

Papers Using This Protocol (27)

Species Studied With This Protocol