Emerging from the pond, I reflected on our successful haul: California newts, aquatic garter snakes, vulnerable California red-legged frogs, literally hundreds of Pacific chorus frogs/tadpoles, a gorgeous alligator lizard I snatched from the grass at the water’s edge and too many giant water bugs (the common name of Belostomatidae – in the south we call ‘em alligator fleas and they’re even bigger than you’d think).
https://west.stanford.edu/news/blogs/out-west-blog/2018/little-things-run-world-francisco
A new study examines how well the tiny but fierce carnivores will fare as climate change warms their mountain homes. The research shows salamanders are surprisingly able to change their physiology in response to the shifting temperature and humidity. Some salamanders are expected to fare better than others, based on their location and size.
http://www.sentinelsource.com/news/environment/salamanders-in-us-appear-to-adapt-to-climate-change-study/article_6954dc52-443c-56e3-b133-c6a8c8a5104b.html