Use of PVC Pipe Refugia as a Sampling Technique for Hylid Treefrogs

Abstract

We used retreats made from white polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes to capture hylids and determined how pipe design and placement influenced the frequency with which hylids used pipes as retreats. Pipes were hung vertically in trees on three sites in north-central Florida. Pipes were checked twice weekly for 10 mo during which 788 individuals of four species (Hyla squirella, H. cinerea, H. femoralis and H. gratiosa) were captured, with 2658 recaptures. Retreats on hardwoods were used significantly more than retreats on pines, and retreats hung at 2 m and 4 m aboveground were used significantly more than retreats at 0 m. Long and T shaped retreats (both 60 cm long) were used significantly more than short (30 cm) retreats. Retreats capped on the bottom with water inside and 3.81 cm in diameter were used more frequently than retreats of the same diameter that were either capped on the top or not capped and retreats 1.75 cm in diameter with no cap.