Building a case Criteria for Dying newts

Investigating die off events

Western newts (genus Taricha) include four species endemic to the West coast. There have been multiple reported die offs of populations of Taricha both in California and Washington, but it is not understood what led to this mass mortality. To better understand the reason these populations are experiencing die off events we plan to investigate disease dynamics of populations in Point Reyes National Park (Marin County, California) and populations at Pine Lake (Washington) with a collaborator. We also plan to survey local biologists and scientists in the Bay Area to find more populations of newts exhibiting similar symptoms. With these data we built a case criteria for sick and dying newts to help other scientists identify and diagnose these mass die off events. Many amphibian species are in drastic decline from disease and loss of habitat. Being able to identify these mass mortality events and gather data on possible emerging diseases in Amphibian communities is vital to conservation efforts.

To aid in our efforts to build a case criteria and gather evidence of other newts in poor body condition we have started an iNaturalist project

If you see a witness a newt die off event or see newts in poor body condition please take our survey