Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program:
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Staff Member

Nikko-Ideen Shaidani

Nikko Shaidani
Master's
Email: nikkoideen.shaidani@maine.edu

Education

  • MS University of Maine 2017
  • BS University of Maine 2012

Biography

I am a Massachusetts native who has always had a keen interest in wildlife, specifically herpetofauna. In my spare time, I enjoy watching movies, computer tweaking, playing basketball, and spending quality time with my family and numerous pets.. The presence of red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) on Maine's coastal islands is compelling in several ways. Their intolerance to extended seawater immersion and overall island habitat variability makes this an intriguing study system. My current research examines the population structure and biogeographic origins of these island red-backed salamanders. Additionally, I am assessing whether island populations have diverged from mainland populations in morphology and other traits, while also characterizing salamander habitat use and trophic linkages on Maine islands.

Project Completion Date
Biogeography and Conservation of Maine’s Island Amphibians (M.Kinnison, P.deMaynadier, L.Welch, B.Connery collaborators) December 2015
Presentations Presentation Date
Shaidani, N., M.T. Kinnison, C.S. Loftin, L.Welch, B. Connery, and P. deMaynadier. 2015. The biogeographic origins and population structure of Maine’s island red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus). 71st Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, 19-21 April, Newport, RI. April 2015
Shaidani, N., M. Kinnison, and C.S. Loftin. 2015. The biogeographic origins and population structure of Maine's island red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus). Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Annual Coordinating Committee Meeting, Wells Conference Center, Orono, ME, 25 March. March 2015