• Chalmers, Rebecca J.
  University of Maine Graduate School
  

Conserving amphibian populations requires knowledge of a species and its habitat relationships. The four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) is listed as Special Concernin Maine and 11 additional states and provinces, Threatenedin Illinois, and Endangered in Indiana (Appendix A). Little id known of H. scutatum ecology despite the species' extensive range. Infrequent sightings of H. scutatumthroughout its range may indicate either low numbers or that the species' behavior make detection difficult. Records for H. scutatum in Maine existed from only 32 sites before my study, and the total number of occurrences of this species in Maine is unknown (P. deMaynadier, Maine .Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, personal communication). I found 238 four-toed salamander nests in 36 wetlands, which were new sites. The survey protocol, natural history descriptions, and definitions of wetland and shoreline habitat presented will increase detections of this species and thus improve the monitoring and management of H. scutatum and the wetland habitat that this species occupies.