LAUSR

Abstract Core terrestrial habitat, sometimes called fixed-width riparian buffer or life zone, is defined as the spatial delineation of 95% of an amphibian population that encompasses all breeding, overwintering, and terrestrial foraging habitats. It has been proposed as a measure of the extent of terrestrial habitat use by amphibians, from which species-specific guidelines on buffer zone width can be derived. The Hong Kong newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis), one of few tropical salamandrids, is endemic to southern China and categorized by the IUCN as Near Threatened. Populations of P. hongkongensis have declined due to habitat degradation and overexploitation for the pet trade. Previous studies of aquatic habitat use by P. hongkongensis revealed distinctive patterns, with juveniles using terrestrial habitats exclusively and most adults remaining on land for about 10 months each year. However, other information on the terrestrial stage is incomplete. We combined radio telemetry and terrestrial transect surveys to study habitat use and quantify movement and distribution patterns of P. hongkongensis during its terrestrial stage with the goal of delineating core terrestrial habitat for the species. Fifty-two P. hongkongensis radio-tracked during the wet season primarily used forest, maintained small home ranges (mean = 0.04 ha), and made frequent short distance movements (