Molecular Identification of Giant Salamanders (Dicamptodon) in Mount Rainier National Park and Lewis and Clark National Historical Park (formerly Fort Clatsop NHP)

Project ID: J9W88050006

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Washington State University

Fiscal Year: 2005

Initial Funding: $10,000

Total Funding: $10,000

Project Type: Research

Project Disciplines: Biological

National Park: Pacific West Region Washington

Principal Investigator: Storfer, Andrew

Agreement Technical Representative: Samora, Barbara

Abstract: Amphibians are declining globally, and as a result, scientists and resource managers are developing conservation and management plans. When closely related amphibians are sympatric, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between them morphologically. In these cases, correct species identification may be essential for proper management. Two species of Pacific giant salamander inhabit western Washington State and northwestern Oregon – Cope’s giant salamander (Dicamptodon copei) and Pacific giant salamander (D. tengrosus). The possible range of these two species include Mount Rainier National Park and Lewis and Clark National Historical Park (formerly Fort Clatsop National Historical Park), but the two species are almost indistinguishable morphologically. Thus, molecular genetic methods are needed to correctly identify these two organisms to the species level. Dr. Storfer’s laboratory has developed a molecular method, based on fixed differences in mitochondrial DNA control region, to unambiguously distinguish between D. copei and D. tenbrosus. This project will include analysis of up to 300 samples of Dicamptodons.