The Impact of Fire and Increasing Time After Fire Upon Heleioporus Eyrei, Limnodynastes Dorsalis and Myobatrachus Gouldii (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in Banksia Woodland Near Perth, Western Australia.

Abstract

Banksia woodland is a seasonally arid and fire-prone environment. Although a seemingly inhospitable environment for frogs, seven species were recorded in pitfall-trapping carried out in six areas of Banksia woodland near Perth from April 1983 to March 1986. These areas had different fire histories, ranging from recently burnt to unburnt for 23 years. One of the areas was burnt during the course of the study. Three species made up 95% of captures, viz. Heleioporus eyrei, Limnodynastes dorsalis and Myobatrachus gouldii. Annual numbers of captures of H. eyrei were not greatly affected by fire or increasing time after fire. L. dorsalis and, to a lesser extent, M. gouldii were caught in greater numbers in long-unburnt areas than in recently burnt areas. Variation in the abundance of L. dorsalis and M. gouldii with time after fire did not appear to be related to changes in leaf litter and vegetation density, or to the abundance of invertebrates as potential prey.