MARQUETTE, MI— Residents who’d like to help study the blue-spotted salamander at Presque Isle Park are invited to be part of the Marquette Citizen Science Project.
Each spring, the little amphibians emerge from underground burrows and cross Peter White Drive to lay their eggs in vernal pools. NMU students have been involved in data collection, conservation, and education efforts, but now the general public can take an active role, as well.
Northern Biology Department Head Jill Leonard says people tend to take photos of the salamanders, anyway. With this project, they will put a small ruler next to the salamander, snap a picture, and upload it to the iNaturalist program to create a long-term data set. The rulers measure not only length, but also include standardized markings that allow researchers to identify color and pattern differences.
The migration, which takes place after dusk, is highly dependent on environmental conditions.
For more information about the Marquette Citizen Science Project, click here.
