Predation on Hyla versicolor and Pseudacris crucifer during Reproduction

1990 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven H. Hinshaw ◽  
Brian K. Sullivan
1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 1288-1299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary B Kolozsvary ◽  
Robert K Swihart

We studied the effects of agriculturally induced fragmentation of forests and wetlands on amphibian assemblages and their distribution in a landscape of the midwestern United States. Potential breeding pools and upland areas in 30 forest patches of various sizes and degrees of isolation were intensively sampled for amphibians during April through August 1996 and March through August 1997 in Indiana. Species presence was documented using pitfall traps, anuran vocalization surveys, and cover-board sampling for adults and minnow traps and dip nets for larvae. Amphibian, anuran, and salamander assemblages were nonrandomly distributed across the landscape. American toads (Bufo americanus) and gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) were ubiquitous, whereas the distributions of several other species were ordered in a predictable manner. Logistic regression was used to develop predictive models of probabilities of occurrence for species in response to forest and wetland patch and landscape variables. Occurrence of redback salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) was positively associated with the area of a forest patch. Occurrence of ranid frogs was positively associated with proximity of wetlands for three of four species, and occurrences of smallmouth salamanders (Ambystoma texanum), spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer), and western chorus frogs (Pseudacris triseriata) were related to the degree of wetland permanency. Multiple linear regression revealed that species richness was greatest for wetlands with intermediate degrees of permanency. The observed nonrandom distribution exhibited by several amphibians suggests that they respond to landscape-level attributes. Moreover, species differed substantially in the nature of their responses to fragmentation, consistent with differences in their life history and ecology.


Author(s):  
Amanda Cicchino

Reproductive isolation is the hallmark of speciation as defined by the biological species concept. A species that is evolving towards reproductive isolation, but has not reached full isolation, is defined as an incipient species. One mechanism used by incipient species to further drive speciation is the use of mate recognition signals. The spring peeper, Pseudacris crucifer, is a North American frog that can be classified as an incipient species, as previous studies have found 6 distinct mitochondrial lineages within its range. Spring peepers use vocal signals for mate recognition and exhibit a female choice mating system where the males call to attract females. This study investigates the evolution of calling in spring peepers. Using calls from each lineage across the full range of spring peepers, I analyzed 11 different characteristics to determine whether the calls were different, and if so, which characteristics are being selected for. Preliminary evidence suggests that the calls between the lineages are distinct and that certain characteristics of the call are more heavily selected for than others. Full analysis on the data has not been completed at this time. This study will expand the understanding of the evolution of spring peepers, as well as offer insight into the role of mating systems on reproductive isolation.


Evolution ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1629-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison M. Welch ◽  
Michael J. Smith ◽  
H. Carl Gerhardt

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2020) ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
J. D. McGhee

Abstract The widespread decline in amphibian populations highlights the need for establishing rigorous monitoring methods for long-term population studies. In an attempt to launch a long-term monitoring study for a Gray Treefrog complex (Hyla versicolor LeConte /chrysoscelis Cope, hereafter treefrog) population in northwest Missouri, I tested the use of PVC pipe traps in a system of ponds and inlets along a lakeside habitat for three years. For each pond (3) and inlet (2), I established an array of 16 pipes so as to compare differences in use between pipe location, ponds and inlets, and sex ratio between sites. Pipes were checked twice a week during the summer for the presence of treefrogs. Treefrog usage of pipes between ponds and inlets were compared using a contingency table analysis, while an ANOVA was used to assess differences in sex ratios between sites (α = 0.05). A single inlet was used by treefrogs more heavily than the other ponds or inlet (G = 13.61, df = 3, P = 0.0035), however, I found no differences in terms of pipe location within a pond or inlet. Mean sex ratio between water bodies varied but did not significantly differ. There appears to be little effect in terms of pipe placement within our 50 m buffer from the water's edge, but unique habitat effects at sampling locations may significantly affect detection rates or usage.


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