Two recent studies involving Penn State researchers shed light on the ecological importance of red-backed salamanders and confirmed that proactive measures could prevent costly impacts from a wildlife disease spreading across Europe that has not yet reached North America. “With a new understanding of how incredibly prevalent salamanders are in an ecosystem, and with the empirical justification for the benefits of proactive management for salamander populations threatened by Bsal, it is more critical than ever to protect the ‘hidden biodiversity’ of amphibians,” Bletz said.

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