Uncovering Salamander Ecology: A Review of Coverboard Design

Coverboards have been used for decades in research on amphibians and reptiles, but their characteristics have varied widely. This diversity in design may both complicate comparisons among studies and preclude assessment of how coverboards could be deliberately tailored to specific study objectives. Although numerous studies have evaluated the effectiveness of various aspects of coverboards, a general synthesis of these results as they relate to salamanders is lacking. Here, I summarize and evaluate information relating to coverboard design and potential concerns for using coverboards in studies of salamanders.