Die Spiegelstation – Eine innovative Methode zur individuellen Unterscheidung und dreidimensionalen Vermessung von Feuersalamandern (Salamandra salamandra) im Freiland

We developed the mirror station as a non-invasive three-dimensional measurement tool of fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) during our study on the population ecology of salamanders in the Wasserburger valley in the district of Tuttlingen (Baden-Württemberg). Without touching the animal, scales made of graph paper were recorded in all three dimensions in addition to the individual dorsal pattern using a photo taken from above. This facilitated the subsequent measurement of body width, length and height of fire salamanders and thus an estimate of body volume. The volume was approximately proportional to the body mass, which we recorded in parallel on a balance. From a subset of 89 photos obtained from the mirror station we estimated the body mass of fire salamanders with an accuracy of 12.4% on average of the body mass measured on the balance. The CAD-drawn model of the mirror station can be reproduced in a 3D printer and used by all researchers wishing to find out more about the size, body mass and volume of fire salamanders in the field.