Terrestrial Movement Patterns of the Common Toad (Bufo bufo) in Central Spain Reveal Habitat of Conservation Importance

Abstract

Abstract Widespread amphibian declines and habitat fragmentation, coupled with advancements in tracking, have sparked increased emphasis on studying movements and the use of terrestrial habitats by amphibians. Penalara Natural Park, Sierra de Guadarrama, Central Spain, provides habitat for a number of amphibians that use upland sites. In response to increased pressure on habitat in this region by tourism, we used 4 months of radiotelemetry data for 17 adult Common Toads (Bufo bufo) to characterize the terrestrial movements, assess the factors influencing these movements, and determine the distribution and cover characteristics of summer refugia for these toads. We found that: 1) movements were most pronounced following the breeding season in June, and adults made movements of up to 470 m away from breeding sites, 2) movements were not influenced by basin size, climatic variables, or the sex of the individual, 3) the amount of terrestrial habitat used by toads ranged from 245 m2 to 2.5 ha, and 4) within th...