Are Forest Roads Attractive Hunting Sites for Frogs? A Comparison of On-Road and In-Forest Prey Biomass and Composition in Amami Island

Abstract

Abstract Although forest roads are known to have negative effects on wildlife, frogs often are observed sitting along small forest roads, possibly using them as hunting sites. To determine if forest roads can be attractive hunting sites for frogs, biomass and composition of potential prey on roads and in adjacent forest were compared. Sticky sheet traps were placed on the roads or 10 m inside adjacent forest overnight at 22 sites in subtropical secondary forest on Amami Island, Japan. Trapped invertebrates were categorized into 10 taxonomic groups, and their dry weights were estimated from body size using an allometric equation for each group. There was no difference in biomass or composition between on-road and in-forest trapped invertebrates. This work suggested that forest roads are not necessarily better foraging areas for frogs than adjacent forest in terms of the quantity and composition of prey.