Feral swine Sus scrofa: a new threat to the remaining breeding wetlands of the Vulnerable reticulated flatwoods salamander Ambystoma bishopi

摘要: Feral swine Sus scrofa have been implicated as a major threat to sensitive habitats and ecosystems well threatened wildlife. Nevertheless, direct indirect impacts on species (especially small, fossorial species) are not documented. The decline of the U.S. federally endangered reticulated flatwoods salamander Ambystoma bishopi, categorized Vulnerable IUCN Red List, has rapid there few remaining breeding locations for this species. depends complex herbaceous vegetation in all life stages, including eggs, larvae adults. Historically sets hog tracks observed only occasionally vicinity monitored wetlands, damage wetlands had never recorded. However, during autumn–winter season 2013–2014 we large increase sign, extensive rooting damage, known wetlands. Our objective was assess amount sign these take corrective management actions curb additional impacts. Of 28 surveyed presence recorded at 68%, 54%. 11 sites be occupied by salamanders 2013–2014, 64% presence, 55% damage. We found that regular monitoring disturbance wetland valuable tool determine when intervention needed effectiveness intervention. Habitat caused feral hogs poses potentially serious salamanders, which needs mitigated using methods control exclude from habitat.