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APRIL 5, 2022
Study suggests Red-backed salamanders struggle to adjust to warming climate UNIVERSITY PARK — If average temperatures rise as projected in eastern North America in coming decades, at least one widespread amphibian species likely will be unable to adjust, and its range may shift northward, according to a new study led by Penn State scientists. In a novel experiment, researchers devised a method to measure the metabolic rate of red-backed salamanders from different regions exposed to warmer temperatures — analyzing how much more energy the small, hardy woodland amphibians would expend to survive in the forests they now inhabit from Quebec south to North Carolina, and west to Missouri and Minnesota. To stay cool and not burn energy, salamanders have evolved strategies such as burrowing under rocks and logs, explained study co-author David Miller, associate professor of wildlife population ecology. But if they are hiding to stay cool for much longer periods, they are not foraging and eating, and at the end of a long summer their condition is deteriorated. “Because these salamanders are ectotherms, cold-blooded animals, essentially what happens is when it is cold, they quit burning energy — as long as they don’t freeze, they can go long periods without food,” said Miller, who’s research group in the College of Agricultural Science has
been studying the demise of amphibians for the last decade. “Conversely, in the summer, when it’s really warm, their body temperature is elevated, and that raises how much energy they consume. So, during the warmest part of the year, if they’re not eating, they’re experiencing an energy deficit.” Depending on atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations and associated level of warming, global climate is very likely to warm by 2.16 to 3.42 degrees Fahrenheit from now to 2040, according to the United Nations. That will affect red-backed salamanders, Miller predicted, and may result in at least the southern end of their range moving northward. “Ectotherms’ fitness is strongly governed by thermal conditions,” he said. “Temperature directly impacts their ecology. Thermal conditions affect energy acquisition and allocation.” To assess the energy expenditure of red-backed salamanders, and to determine whether their metabolic rates differed at the warmer and cooler parts of their range, lead researcher David Muñoz conducted an innovative study. Researchers collected salamanders from four populations in April and May of 2017 near Richmond, Va; Millmont, Pa; Ithaca, NY; and Turners Falls, Mass. To test for life-stage differences, researchers captured 18–20 juveniles
and 18–20 adult male salamanders at each site. They brought all specimens to a laboratory in the Department of Entomology, where they conducted tests using ultra-sensitive equipment. Muñoz, who was then a doctoral researcher in Miller’s lab and is now an analyst with The New Teacher Project, modified small refrigerators to serve as thermal chambers to subject the salamanders to warmer conditions. “Then the salamanders were placed in a small tube, and we measured how much oxygen was consumed by the salamander over two hours and how much carbon dioxide it emitted,” he said. “We repeated the process multiple times, at different temperatures.” In findings recently published in Ecology and Evolution, the researchers reported that they examined relationships between higher temperature and metabolic rate across four, widespread populations of salamanders to determine if they vary in metabolic response, and if their metabolic rates adjust to seasonal thermal cues. Salamanders from warmer climates lowered metabolic rates when acclimating to summer temperatures. These depressed metabolic rates may act as an energy-saving mechanism during the warmest time of the year, the researchers suggested, adding that no such adjustability was
evident in populations from cooler climates. Both juvenile and adult salamanders exhibited metabolic “plasticity,” they pointed out. Although some populations responded to historic climate thermal cues, Miller said, no populations showed adjusted metabolic rate responses sufficient to deal with projected future climate temperatures, indicating there are constraints on salamanders’ responses to climate change. The research is important, Miller contends, because predicted changes in global temperature are expected to increase extinction risk for ectotherms such as red-backed salamanders, primarily through increased metabolic rates. “We expect that warming will impact the energy budgets of salamanders, potentially affecting individual growth and reproductive success,” he said. Rudolf Schilder, associate professor of entomology and biology at Penn State, and Evan Campbell Grant, biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Lab, Turners Falls, Massachusetts, contributed to the research. The Department of the Interior Northeast Climate Science Center funded this study, which was based on research supported by the National Science Foundation.
Otto-Eldred principal to leave after school year DUKE CENTER, Pa. — The principal at OttoEldred Junior/Senior High School is leaving the district to take another position. The school district posted an “Anticipated Vacancy Notice” via its social media accounts late last month for the position of
high school principal starting July 1. The district is in search of a candidate “who has strong instructional leadership and interpersonal skills, as well as demonstrated experience in data-driven instruction, assessment, supervision,
special education process, developing community partnerships and parent engagement.” The vacancy notice stated all applications for the position are due to the district before 3 p.m. Friday. When asked why she is
leaving the principal position, Kaci Daniels, said, “I couldn’t pass up an opportunity that became available. Unfortunately, I cannot speak to it until everything becomes official in the coming months.” Daniels’ last day at Otto-Eldred will be June 30.
Hummingbird migration into Pa. prompts questions HARRISBURG — While a few ruby-throated hummingbirds have shown up in New Jersey this week, the leading edge of northward migration approaching Pennsylvania is now sweeping across Virginia, according to Hummingbird Central, one of the organizations that track the migration. The first hummers likely will cross the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania next week. Anyone wanting to attract the attention of the maximum number of the tiny birds this spring will want to have their hummingbird feeders filled with nectar and hanging in the backyard by the end of next week. My previous report on the progress of the migration generated questions for several readers. Here are those questions and my answers. Reader: Should I add red dye to my hummingbird nectar to attract more of them to my feeders? Answer: While the color red is an attractant for hummingbirds, it’s best to have the color offered by parts of your feeder rather than the nectar inside. With their incredibly high metabolism, hummingbirds do not need extra chemicals, such as red dye, added to their food.
One part white sugar to four parts water is all they need. Reader: What is the best feeder for these adorable birds? Answer: The five qualities that make up an optimum feeder for hummingbirds are a large area of red in its materials, ease of cleaning, multiple feeding ports, durability of materials, strength of the hanging mechanism and deterrents to insects, in that order. As I noted above, you want the plastic or glass materials of your feeder to incorporate as much red coloring, which is a strong attractant for hummingbirds. You might even want to add additional red to the array, but not in the form of red dye in the nectar. It’s essential that we maintain a clean source of nectar for the hummers. Sugar water can grow a lot of nastiness, especially in the heat of summer. A feeder with parts that hold securely while in use but then detach easily for cleaning makes that a simpler chore that you will be more inclined to do regularly. But you also want a feeder with strong connections between all components. Multiple feeding ports, which will accommodate more than one hummingbird at a time, can be
provided by one feeder with several ports or several one-port feeders. Look for feeders made with strong materials and constructions that will provide long-lived service in your backyard. The hanging mechanism of the feeder will be a big determinant of how well the feeder will function and how long it will last. Again, look for a strong mechanism with secure connections. Nectar feeders attract ants, bees, wasps and others, in addition to the hummingbird. Bee guards at the feeding ports and ant moats to block crawling-type access to the ports will work to thwart unwanted users. Reader: I live in Clearfield County, and I was told once to put the feeders out May 1. After reading your article I wonder if that is early enough. When would you recommend? Answer: Hummingbird
Central, one of the national organizations that track the migration that reports by the public, places the arrival of that leading front of the bulk of the northward migration in southern Pennsylvania around April 20 and northern Pennsylvania around May 1. Operation Rubythroat, another hummingbird research and tracking organization, places the normal arrival date for southern Pennsylvania at April 10 and for northern Pennsylvania at April 20. Considering those statistics, for most years I would recommend April 20 as a date that should allow you to get your feeders in place before many hummers have arrived in Clearfield County. But the birds seem to be approaching earlier this year, and I would probably move that date ahead to April 15 for your location.
Pitt Chancellor Gallagher to step down in summer 2023 PITTSBURGH — University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher announced Thursday that he intends to step down as the institution’s 18th chancellor in the summer of 2023, following nine years in office. He will remain at the University as a full-time faculty member in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Physics and Astronomy. The Board of Trustees is expected to kick off a national search process with the expectation of naming Gallagher’s successor prior to his departure. “Serving as chancellor at one of the greatest public research universities in the nation is deeply fulfilling and rewarding,” Gallagher wrote in a message to the University community. “I am very proud of where Pitt is today, and I think the University is well positioned for a new leader to take the helm and thrive.” Gallagher, 59, has led the University since he succeeded Chancellor Emeritus Mark Nordenberg in summer 2014. During his time in office, he has launched a suite of groundbreaking student access and affordability programs; raised the University’s reputational profile in academic excellence and research; advanced Pitt’s partnerships and priorities in neighboring communities; added academic offices in sustainability, equity and diversity, and community engagement; founded the School of Computing and Information; and steered the institution through both a pandemic and national recession—all while sparking economic innovation and opportunities in the region, including through initiatives such as Pitt BioForge, an innovative, one-of- a-kind biomanufacturing facility slated for Hazelwood Green. Pitt is one of 66 members of the Association of American Universities, and Gallagher chairs the organization’s board of directors.
His other active leadership appointments include serving on the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Before joining Pitt, Gallagher spent more than two decades in public service, including serving as director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and acting deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. In his community message, Gallagher discussed making the leap from the public sector to the helm of one of the greatest public universities in the nation. “When I first assumed this role, following many years of senior leadership positions in government, I made a commitment to myself that I would remain in this role for only as long as I believed that I could carry it out to the fullest of my abilities. When next summer arrives, I will have served as your chancellor for nine amazing years. This is both long enough to have accomplished some great things together, but not so long that I have worn out either myself or my welcome.” Gallagher holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and philosophy from Benedictine College in Kansas and a Ph.D. in physics from Pitt. His upcoming move keeps him at an institution he knows very well, in a city he calls home, and in a profession that he loves: teaching. In his community message, Gallagher described his next chapter at Pitt as “a dream come true.” He also notes that his current reality and many responsibilities won’t be disappearing anytime soon. “While change can be uncomfortable, we are facing it together—from a position of amazing strength,” he wrote. “Meanwhile, 2023 is still a way off, and we have plenty of things to do — together.”