Mass displacement of Korean clawed salamanders (Onychodactylus koreanus) and the threat of road-kill

Abstract

Little is known about the ecology of the Korean clawed salamander (Onychodactylus koreanus) but populations are declining due to human activities. We surveyed a mountainside road in the Republic of Korea and recorded the sex and life history stage of the salamanders crossing the road. Our results present the first evidence of mass movement in this species. We also show that road-kill is greater than estimated in previous studies. The males observed had fleshy hind-limb extensions and all females except one were gravid, indicating they were in reproductive condition and that mass movement of this species is probably linked to seasonal conditions and reproduction. Consequently, we argue that road-kill may have a large impact on this species by eliminating reproductive adults. We call for road-kill mitigation measures on mountainside roads and further research into the migration patterns of this species.