Designation of amphibian corridor referring to the frog’s climbing ability

Abstract

Abstract In this study, we measured the body weight, body length, jump height, jump length, and climbing abilities of three species of frogs indigenous to Taiwan. The results were used to design an amphibian corridor suitable for amphibian mobility. Twenty specimens for each of the three species, Rana adenopleura , Rana latouchii , and Kurixalus idiootocus , were collected for testing. Their climbing ability on different matrix angles, materials, temperatures, and humidity were tested. The results showed that the jump height and jump length of the three frog species were in a descending order of R. adenopleura > R. latouchii > K. idiootocus . When tested in different climatic environments and climbing matrices, female frogs of all three species showed better climbing ability than that of male frogs. Generally speaking, the influence of climatic conditions on climbing ability was in a descending order of high temperature and high humidity > high temperature and low humidity > low temperature and high humidity > low temperature and low humidity. The steeper the matrix slope, the lower the climbing ability. The findings can provide useful reference for researchers of amphibian corridors in the future.