Repeated exposure to fluorescent powder does not affect survival or mass in Eastern red-spotted newts, Notophthalmus viridescens

Abstract

Research aimed at determining the extent of terrestrial habitat use by amphibians has been impeded by the difficulties associated with relocating and identifying individuals in the field. Recent studies have used fluorescent powder pigments as a method for tracking short-term terrestrial movements of frogs and salamanders. In a laboratory experiment we found no effect of repeated exposure to two different types of fluorescent powder on mass or survival of terrestrial juvenile and adult Eastern red-spotted newts (Notophthalmus viridescens). We provide further evidence that fluorescent powder tracking is safe for use on amphibians and may be an effective tool for studying terrestrial habitat use.