Salamanders and the Southern Appalachians: Why is our area the epicenter of Salamander Diversity?

By Joseph Pechmann, Professor of Biology, WCU, and Patrick Brannon, Director, Highlands Research Center

 

Saturday, March 13^th, 10:30 a.m.

 

Presented at the Folk Art Center Auditorium at Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Sponsored by the Friends of the WNC Nature Center

The talk will cover the general natural history and biology of salamanders, why the southern Appalachians represent the epicenter of salamander diversity, examples of regional species and threats to salamander diversity.

 

Mr. Brannon grew up in Tryon, NC and spent the majoity of his life in the southern Appalachian mountains.  He received my undergraduate degree from UNC-Asheville in 1992, where I performed research on the effects of clearcut logging on salamander populations. He received a Master's degree from Appalachian State. Since 2004 he has been the director of the Highlands Nature Center, part of the Highlands Biological Station, in Highlands NC.  In this position he presents a wide variety of outreach programming to regional schools and adult groups, including short courses on salamanders and small mammals for college students.  he continues to perform field research on both salamander and shrew ecology.

 

Professor Pechmann has a Phd. in Zoology from Duke University, a M.S. in Zoology from University of Georgia and a B.A. in Biology from Hamilton College. He is now Associate Professor of Biology at Western Carolina University. He writes extensively and presents at herpetological and ichthyological conferences. His CV may be viewed by clicking here.

 

 

 

Free for Friends of the WNC Nature Center and suggested donation of $5 for the general public.

Reservations recommended to Sarah Oram, at friends@wildwnc.org with name and number in your party.

For more information, please call Sarah at (828) 298-5600 ext. 308.

Light refreshments provided.