Authors: Tupper, Todd A.¹; Cook, Robert P.²; Timm, Brad C.³; Goodstine, Amy²

Source: Applied Herpetology, Volume 4, Number 3, 2007 , pp. 245-259(15)

Publisher: BRILL

Abstract:

Effectively monitoring population trends in Bufo fowleri is a priority in certain regions of this species' range. To determine the most appropriate sampling regime for B. fowleri at Cape Cod National Seashore, we sampled 67 sites with weekly calling surveys from 12 April to 24 July 2003, 2004 and 2005. Surveys were conducted from sunset to approximately midnight. B. fowleri calls were documented on 327/1350 sampling events and at 40 sites, 26 of which supported breeding aggregations. In 96% of sampling events resulting in a calling index value of 1, time to first detection was within three minutes. For all sampling events resulting in index values of 2 or 3, event maxima were recorded within the first survey minute. Most detections occurred within two hours of sunset on calm nights in June when surface water and air temperatures were >17.85°C and 20.75°C, respectively. Surface water temperature and Julian date were important predictors of calling, and June was identified as the optimal time to survey for this species.

Keywords: AMPHIBIAN DECLINES; BUFO FOWLERI; CALLING ANURAN SURVEYS; CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE; LONG-TERM MONITORING

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/157075407781268345

Affiliations: 1: Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22032, USA; United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Cape Cod National Seashore, 99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet, 2: United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Cape Cod National Seashore, 99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet, MA 02667, USA 3: Department of Natural Resources Conservation, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Holdsworth Natural Resources Center, Amherst, MA 01003, USA

Publication date: 2007-06-01

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