Frog Habitat Research Articles

Asplenium bird’s nest ferns in rainforest canopies are climate-contingent refuges for frogs

Epiphytes are important for canopy dwelling organisms because they provide a cool and moist microhabitat in the relatively hot and dry canopy. Here we examine whether epiphytic Asplenium ferns act as important habitats for arboreal frogs. We conducted extensive fern and habitat surveys for frogs in the Philippines, and complimented these surveys with roaming day and night canopy surveys to identify the full extent of habitat use across the vertical strata. We artificially dried ferns of various sizes to identify relationships between water and temperature buffering. Ferns are the preferred diurnal microhabitat and breeding habitat for arboreal frogs. A strong positive relationship exists between fern size and frog usage and abundance. Our drying experiments show that large ferns buffer maximum temperatures and reduce variability in temperatures, and buffering is directly linked to their hydration. Frogs are likely using large ferns for their moist, cool, environments for breeding and daytime retreat, which supports the buffered microhabitat hypothesis—these plants promote species coexistence through habitat creation and amelioration of physical stress. However, drying experiments suggest that this buffering is contingent on regular rainfall. Altered rainfall regimes could lead to the unexpected loss of the functional capacity of these important fern habitats.

The effect of captivity on the cutaneous bacterial community of the critically endangered Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki)

For many threatened vertebrates, captivity may be the only option for species survival. Maintaining species in captivity prior to reintroduction presents many challenges, including the need to preserve genetic diversity and mitigation of disease risks. Recent studies suggest that captivity can alter the suite of symbiotic microbes that play important roles in host health. The Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki) has not been seen in its native habitat in Panamá since 2009. Along with habitat loss and illegal collecting, the lethal disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is responsible for the severe decline of this species. Prior to the spread of Bd into golden frog habitat, conservation organizations collected golden frogs and placed them in captive survival assurance colonies. The skin of amphibians is host to a diverse resident bacterial community, which acts as a defense mechanism in some amphibians to inhibit pathogens. We characterized the cutaneous bacterial community from wild and F1 captive golden frogs originating from the same population with Illumina sequencing to assess how long-term captivity has affected this community. We found that species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and community structure of the skin microbiota was significantly different between wild and captive golden frogs. However, after approximately eight years of living in captivity, the offspring of the original captive golden frogs still shared 70% of their microbial community with wild frogs. These results demonstrate that host-associated microbial communities can be significantly altered by captive management, but most of the community composition can be preserved.

Determining the Effects of Cattle Grazing Treatments on Yosemite Toads (Anaxyrus [=Bufo] canorus) in Montane Meadows

Amphibians are experiencing a precipitous global decline, and population stability on public lands with multiple uses is a key concern for managers. In the Sierra Nevada Mountains (California, USA), managers have specifically identified livestock grazing as an activity that may negatively affect Yosemite toads due to the potential overlap of grazing with toad habitat. Grazing exclusion from Yosemite toad breeding and rearing areas and/or entire meadows have been proposed as possible management actions to alleviate the possible impact of cattle on this species. The primary objective of this study was to determine if different fencing treatments affect Yosemite toad populations. We specifically examined the effect of three fencing treatments on Yosemite toad breeding pool occupancy, tadpoles, and young of the year (YOY). Our hypothesis was that over the course of treatment implementation (2006 through 2010), Yosemite toad breeding pool occupancy and early life stage densities would increase within two fencing treatments relative to actively grazed meadows due to beneficial changes to habitat quality in the absence of grazing. Our results did not support our hypothesis, and showed no benefit to Yosemite toad presence or early life stages in fenced or partially fenced meadows compared to standard USDA Forest Service grazing levels. We found substantial Yosemite toad variation by both meadow and year. This variation was influenced by meadow wetness, with water table depth significant in both the tadpole and YOY models.

Slipping through the Cracks: Rubber Plantation Is Unsuitable Breeding Habitat for Frogs in Xishuangbanna, China

Conversion of tropical forests into agriculture may present a serious risk to amphibian diversity if amphibians are not able to use agricultural areas as habitat. Recently, in Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province – a hotspot of frog diversity within China – two-thirds of the native tropical rainforests have been converted into rubber plantation agriculture. We conducted surveys and experiments to quantify habitat use for breeding and non-breeding life history activities of the native frog species in rainforest, rubber plantation and other human impacted sites. Rubber plantation sites had the lowest species richness in our non-breeding habitat surveys and no species used rubber plantation sites as breeding habitat. The absence of breeding was likely not due to intrinsic properties of the rubber plantation pools, as our experiments indicated that rubber plantation pools were suitable for tadpole growth and development. Rather, the absence of breeding in the rubber plantation was likely due to a misalignment of breeding and non-breeding habitat preferences. Analyses of our breeding surveys showed that percent canopy cover over pools was the strongest environmental variable influencing breeding site selection, with species exhibiting preferences for pools under both high and low canopy cover. Although rubber plantation pools had high canopy cover, the only species that bred in high canopy cover sites used the rainforest for both non-breeding and breeding activities, completing their entire life cycle in the rainforest. Conversely, the species that did use the rubber plantation for non-breeding habitat preferred to breed in low canopy sites, also avoiding breeding in the rubber plantation. Rubber plantations are likely an intermediate habitat type that ‘slips through the cracks’ of species habitat preferences and is thus avoided for breeding. In summary, unlike the rainforests they replaced, rubber plantations alone may not be able to support frog populations.

Potential effects of climate change on the distribution of the common frog Rana temporaria at its northern range margin

Climate change is projected to be particularly strong in northern latitudes, and subarctic species are thus likely to be especially susceptible to the effects of climate warming. We forecast potential effects of climate change on the extent of the suitable habitat of the common frog,Rana temporaria,at the margin of its northern range. We investigated 179 potential breeding sites in subarctic Finland and subjected the data to detailed bioclimate envelope modelling using three state-of-the-art techniques: generalized additive models, maximum entropy and generalized boosting methods. Moreover, we included local environmental factors in the models to investigate whether they improve model performance. Under all tested climate change projections and irrespective of the modelling method, the suitable habitat forR. temporariaincreased in warming climate. The inclusion of local abiotic variables significantly improved the performance of the models. However, June temperature appeared to be the most informative variable in all modelling approaches: a major increase in the extent of suitable habitat occurred when it increased by 1°C. Overall, the modelling results indicate that the distribution of northernR. temporariais likely to be very sensitive to climate warming. The results also highlight the fact that overlooking local abiotic variation can significantly bias bioclimatic modelling results.

Air photo evidence of historical land cover change in the highlands: Wetlands and grasslands give way to crops and woodlots

Madagascar’s high plateau – where people farm, graze cattle, and set periodic fire in a grass dominated landscape – receives disproportionately little conservation attention. An aerial photograph-based analysis of land - cover change in the latter half of the 20th century, based on a stratified random sample of twenty eight sites, reveals dramatic trends associated with an increasing human population that is building a cultural landscape of villages and agro-ecosystems to assure its livelihoods. On average across the sample sites, about 23 % of grassland areas present in 1949–1950 were converted to crops fields, farm trees and built - up areas by the 1990s. Of all land - cover transitions, the most dramatic changes included the loss of approximately 60 % of wetlands and 37 % of riparian forests. These land covers, which are dispersed along the fine - grained dendritic stream network, are habitat for crayfish, frogs, and other fauna, yet are also prized locations in the rice - based Malagasy agricultural system. The results of this study suggest that attention be given to highland grassland, wetland and riparian forest ecosystem restoration and conservation; however, any on - the - ground initiatives should incorporate respect for local needs and allow sustainable use of these ecosystems, given their cultural and subsistence importance.

Observation of Frog Species in State University of Malang as a Preliminary Effort on Frog Conservation

Frog is an amphibian which widely distributed around the world. Indonesia houses 450 species which represent 11% of frog species in the world. In Java Island living 42 species of frogs and toads. Frogs can be used as an environment indicator due to the presence of frog in a particular place indicates that the place is stay natural and unpolluted. State University of Malang Campus #1 which is located in the heart of Malang District has been developing rapidly, currently. Thus, it requires for the construction of new various facilities to support it widen activities. Extensive construction can be destructive even damaging to the habitat of frog, which potentially threat the frog life, if it does not take a consideration on the environmental impact, carefully. This study aimed to identify the species of frog which is survives in State University of Malang with consideration of the frog species found in 1995. Species identification conducted by observing the morphologicalcharacter. This study found four species with three species which are survive and as found in 1995; those are Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Polypedates leucomystax, and Kaloula baleta; and one new species that is Rana chalconota. This study also reveals there are four species which are extinct; those are Fejervarya cancrivora, Fejervarya limnocharis, Ingerophrynus biporcatus, and Occidoziga lima. This situation shows the decreasing amount of species from 7 to 4 within 17 years. This result indicates that there is a serious environmental degradation which caused the losing of frog habitats. Further research is needed to study the ecological condition changing in order to save the frog species.

Observation of Frog Species in State University of Malang as a Preliminary Effort on Frog Conservation

Frog is an amphibian which widely distributed around the world. Indonesia houses 450 species which represent 11% of frog species in the world. In Java Island living 42 species of frogs and toads. Frogs can be used as an environment indicator due to the presence of frog in a particular place indicates that the place is stay natural and unpolluted. State University of Malang Campus #1 which is located in the heart of Malang District has been developing rapidly, currently. Thus, it requires for the construction of new various facilities to support it widen activities. Extensive construction can be destructive even damaging to the habitat of frog, which potentially threat the frog life, if it does not take a consideration on the environmental impact, carefully. This study aimed to identify the species of frog which is survives in State University of Malang with consideration of the frog species found in 1995. Species identification conducted by observing the morphologicalcharacter. This study found four species with three species which are survive and as found in 1995; those are Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Polypedates leucomystax, and Kaloula baleta; and one new species that is Rana chalconota. This study also reveals there are four species which are extinct; those are Fejervarya cancrivora, Fejervarya limnocharis, Ingerophrynus biporcatus, and Occidoziga lima. This situation shows the decreasing amount of species from 7 to 4 within 17 years. This result indicates that there is a serious environmental degradation which caused the losing of frog habitats. Further research is needed to study the ecological condition changing in order to save the frog species.

Habitat Selection by Crawfish Frogs (Lithobates areolatus) in a Large Mixed Grassland/Forest Habitat

Our objective was to examine breeding dispersal, burrow-use characteristics, and burrow habitat selection by Crawfish Frogs (Lithobates areolatus) in two distinct vegetation types (open grasslands and a mosaic of forest and transitioning grasslands) in southeastern Indiana, from March to August 2009 and 2010. We captured 14 frogs at their breeding ponds and tracked them to their burrows using radio telemetry. Once we identified their burrows, we compared habitat metrics at the burrows to random locations. We used an information-theoretic model selection approach to approximate the parsimony of logistic regression models comparing the habitat features of burrows to random, available sites. Frogs dispersed a straight-line average distance of 215 m and used an average of four burrows. They generally did not change burrows after June. Our top model included covariates for the number of burrows, canopy cover, and a site covariate. Our results suggested that habitat selection by Crawfish Frogs occurred hierarchically; in mixed grassland/forest habitats, they first selected areas with low canopy cover, and then selected areas with many available burrows. To manage habitat for Crawfish Frogs, we recommend preventing woody encroachment and reducing canopy cover in grassland areas occupied by Crawfish Frogs. Additionally, areas with a large number of burrows appear to provide the most suitable Crawfish Frog habitat.

Negative Effects of Deep Roadside Ditches onPelophylax porosa brevipodaDispersal and Migration in Comparison withHyla japonicain a Rice Paddy Area in Japan

In Japan, rice paddies have acted as a substitute habitat for pond-breeding frogs. However, since the 1950s, agricultural modernization has altered the rice paddy environment, and pond-breeding frog populations have been decreasing. This agricultural modernization has led to rice paddy fragmentation via roadways and the construction of deep channels. To assess the influences of habitat fragmentation, we compared the distribution of two pond-breeding frogs, a common species, Hyla japonica, and an endangered species, Pelophylax porosa brevipoda, around a deep roadside ditch. In Shiga prefecture, we selected two rice paddies along a roadway and recorded the number of frogs and their snout-vent length (SVL) at the levee of a rice paddy, ditch, bank, and adjacent roadway. In total, we identified 1,293 P. p. brevipoda and 181 H. japonica. Most P. p. brevipoda were either at the levee or ditch, and the number of this species found in the ditch was much higher than in any other location in July and October. The SVLs of P. p. brevipoda found in the ditch in June were smaller than those in October. Most H. japonica were at the levee or bank, and there were no apparent temporal or spatial patterns of distribution. Our results suggest that the ditch acts as a barrier to juveniles in early summer and to all frogs during autumn for P. p. brevipoda but not for H. japonica. For long-term conservation, it is important to study the movement patterns related to life history and rice paddy management.

Mapping Anuran Habitat Suitability to Estimate Effects of Grassland and Wetland Conservation Programs

The conversion of the Northern Great Plains of North America to a landscape favoring agricultural commodity production has negatively impacted wildlife habitats. To offset impacts, conservation programs have been implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies to restore grassland and wetland habitat components. To evaluate effects of these efforts on anuran habitats, we used call survey data and environmental data in ecological niche factor analyses implemented through the program Biomapper to quantify habitat suitability for five anuran species within a 196 km2 study area. Our amphibian call surveys identified Northern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens), Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus), Boreal Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris maculata), Great Plains Toads (Anaxyrus cognatus), and Woodhouse's Toads (Anaxyrus woodhousii) occurring within the study area. Habitat suitability maps developed for each species revealed differing patterns of suitable habitat among species. The most significant findings of our mapping effort were 1) the influence of deep-water overwintering wetlands on suitable habitat for all species encountered except the Boreal Chorus Frog; 2) the lack of overlap between areas of core habitat for both the Northern Leopard Frog and Wood Frog compared to the core habitat for both toad species; and 3) the importance of conservation programs in providing grassland components of Northern Leopard Frog and Wood Frog habitat. The differences in habitats suitable for the five species we studied in the Northern Great Plains, i.e., their ecological niches, highlight the importance of utilizing an ecosystem based approach that considers the varying needs of multiple species in the development of amphibian conservation and management plans.

Fire Ants in Houston Toad Habitat: Annual Activity and Responses to Canopy Cover and Fire

Abstract The red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta (RIFA) is an invasive species found throughout the southern and southeastern United States. Since its introduction, RIFA has been shown to negatively affect a wide range of native vertebrate and invertebrate species. The purposes of this study were to delineate the annual RIFA activity pattern, investigate the association between overstory canopy cover and RIFA captures, and evaluate the effects of low-intensity prescribed fire around pond edges on RIFA in the Lost Pines ecoregion of Texas, a region that provides habitat for most of the remaining endangered Houston toads Bufo houstonensis. We found that annual RIFA activity followed a quadratic curve, with above-average activity between May and October. We found an inverse relationship between mean percentage of canopy cover near pond edges and mean number of RIFA captured. We found that low-intensity prescribed burning had no significant influence on RIFA captures during our study period. However, strong spatial and temporal capture variability was apparent, and thus a strong impact would have been necessary to detect an effect. Although this study provides evidence that should decrease concerns that wildlife managers, conservation biologists, and landowners in the Lost Pines ecoregion may have about exacerbating RIFA abundance when using fire as an ecosystem management tool, we recommend additional work be conducted using a greater sample size, greater sampling effort, and longer study duration. We found that RIFA activity was highest during the time frame in which juvenile Houston toads emerge from ponds. Thus, RIFA control may be a useful Houston toad recovery tool where breeding ponds are not within dense canopy habitats.

Monitoring the behavior of the Common River Frog (<i>Amietia angolensis<i/>) with modern day technology Pit-tags.

The study was conducted in the North-West University Botanical Gardens where all 18 ponds provide habitat for the river frogs. A total of 117 river frogs were marked with pit-tags. Their movements in the garden, between and within ponds were monitored over a period of 12 months. Results showed that river frogs are active throughout the year and that males are more territorial than females.

Temporally Irregular Breeding of Western Spadefoot Toads (Spea hammondii) in Managed Wetlands

The intensive cultivation of landscapes and associated practices, such as pesticide use, have been shown to negatively affect amphibian species (Marco and others 1999; Davidson and others 2002; Gray 2002; Kiesecker 2002; Fellers and others 2004; Ghioca-Robrecht and others 2010), and have been linked with marked declines of amphibians in California’s Central Valley (Sparling and others 2001; Fisher and Shaffer 2002). In light of such issues, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has undertaken the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP), which is a multi-agency effort to measure the environmental effects of federally-funded conservation practices and programs and develop the science base for environmentally responsible agricultural management. These assessments are performed at national, regional, and watershed scales focusing on croplands, grazing lands, wetlands, and wildlife. In California’s Central Valley, CEAP assessments have focused on lands enrolled in the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). The WRP is a voluntary program administered by the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service that provides technical and financial support for landowners who elect to participate in conservation initiatives, such as wetland restoration. Conservation practices and programs like the WRP are intended to protect, restore, and enhance habitat. While conservation methods are designed to support wildlife and provide ecosystem services, the effects on wildlife are not entirely clear; conservation efforts can potentially have both positive and negative effects on species. One commonly used method is the manipulation of flooding regimes at managed wetlands. It is known that changes in hydroperiod can influence the breeding phenology of aquatic species such as amphibians (Lannoo 1998; Sartorius and Rosen 2000; Horner 2001), but little is known about the effects on breeding of manipulated flooding regimes not managed in accordance with natural hydroperiods. The aim of our study was to assess whether Western Spadefoot Toads (Spea hammondii) opportunistically breed outside of known breeding periods in wetlands whose hydroperiods are managed according to WRP guidelines, rather than natural hydroperiods. Western Spadefoot Toads range from northern California to northwestern Baja California, Mexico. In California, this species occurs throughout the Central Valley and associated foothills, as well as the Coast Ranges and coastal lowlands between San Francisco and northwestern Mexico (Fig. 1; Stebbins 2003; USFWS 2005). The Western Spadefoot Toad is a Species of Special Concern in California, where populations have been reduced by agricultural practices, urban development, and the introduction of nonnative predators (Jennings 1996; Davidson and others 2002). More than 80% of historically occupied Western Spadefoot Toad habitat in southern California, and more than 30% of such habitat in northern and central California, has been developed or converted to uses that are unsuitable for sustained populations (Jennings and Hayes 1994). The Western Spadefoot Toad is a desertadapted and opportunistic breeding species that synchronizes its reproduction with infrequent and unpredictable rainfall (Denver 1998). The 1 Current address: Department of Wildlife Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469 GENERAL NOTES

The potential effects of climate change on the status of Seychelles frogs (Anura: Sooglossidae)

The status of the Seychelles frogs of the family Sooglossidae was investigated, using monitoring data from 1993-2010, climate data from 1998-2010 and studies of populations and local climate effects. Climate monitoring at each plot covered rainfall and temperature, with leaf wetness and soil moisture being monitored additionally at one site. Analysis of the data and ecological modelling of the distribution identify geographical patterns in climate which explain the present distribution of the different sooglossid species. In addition it identifies a drying trend in the first quarter of the year which corresponds to frog population declines in mid-altitude forests. This is interpreted as evidence of an ongoing deterioration in the suitability of habitats for the frogs, with declines recorded in areas of marginal suitability. By extension it is assumed that currently optimal frog habitat is also undergoing a decline in suitability, due to early year decreases in moisture. Projected changes in climate were used to predict changes in ranges of the sooglossids over the next 90 years. This predicts significant declines, with the possible extinction of the palm frog Sooglossus pipilodryas by 2100. Accordingly all four sooglossid species should be categorised as Endangered, rather than their current status of Vulnerable. Captive assurance colonies have not been successfully established to date. Captive groups have been maintained with a high degree of success but breeding has not been recorded so far. Further work needed for the conservation of the frogs is outlined: development of a reliable method of monitoring the cryptic S. thomasseti and development of captive breeding techniques.

A GIS model for identifying eastern spadefoot toad ( Scaphiopus holbrookii) habitat in eastern Connecticut

The eastern spadefoot toad ( Scaphiopus holbrookii) is listed as endangered in Connecticut, having only one viable population in the state. Efforts to investigate their distribution in Connecticut are frustrated by their rarity, as well as their nocturnal and fossorial habits. The purpose of this study was to develop a geographic information systems (GIS) model to identify eastern spadefoot toad habitat in eastern Connecticut. Known eastern spadefoot toad sites in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island were used to establish the model’s selection criteria (i.e., substrate and elevation). Drainage class, texture class and soil deposit type within 250 meters of each site were summarized by acreage to reveal the predominant characteristics of the substrate. Digital elevation models (DEMs) were used to calculate relative elevation, expressing the absolute elevation as a percentage of the range in the surrounding landscape. Applying the selection criteria in eastern Connecticut produced a GIS shapefile of potential eastern spadefoot toad habitat. The results of verification analyses suggest that the eastern spadefoot toad habitat model (ESTHM) is a promising tool for identifying areas of eastern spadefoot toad habitat.

Habitat Use and Movement of the Endangered Arroyo Toad (Anaxyrus californicus) in Coastal Southern California

Abstract Information on the habitat use and movement patterns of Arroyo Toads (Anaxyrus californicus) is limited. The temporal and spatial characteristics of terrestrial habitat use, especially as it relates to upland use in coastal areas of the species' range, are poorly understood. We present analyses of radiotelemetry data from 40 individual adult toads tracked at a single site in coastal southern California from March through November of 2004. We quantify adult Arroyo Toad habitat use and movements and interpret results in the context of their life history. We show concentrated activity by both male and female toads along stream terraces during and after breeding, and, although our fall sample size is low, the continued presence of adult toads in the floodplain through the late fall. Adult toads used open sandy flats with sparse vegetation. Home-range size and movement frequency varied as a function of body mass. Observed spatial patterns of movement and habitat use both during and outside of the bree...

Fundamental Experiments to Develop Eco-Friendly Techniques for Conserving Frog Habitat in Paddy Areas: Escape Countermeasures for Frogs Falling into Agricultural Concrete Canals

Frogs often drown in agricultural canals with deep concrete walls that are installed commonly in paddy areas after land consolidation projects in Japan because they cannot escape after falling into the canal. We propose a partial concrete canal with gently sloped walls as a countermeasure for frogs to escape the canal and investigated the preferable angle of the sloped walls, water depth and flow velocity for Rana porosa porosa. Our experiments showed that only 13 individuals (2%) escaped by leaping out of the canal, indicating that climbing up is the main escape behavior of R. p. porosa. Walls with slopes of 30-45 degrees allowed 50-60% of frogs to escape from experimental canals, the frogs especially easily climbed up walls with a 30 degree slope. Adjusting water depth to 5 cm or more would assist the frogs in reaching the escape countermeasures because at such depths frogs are not able to stand on the canal bottom and to move freely about. Flow velocity should be slower around the countermeasures because R. p. porosa is not good at long-distance swimming and cannot remain under running water for a long time. The broadened inlets of this new canal design provide water of slower velocity near the shores of the sloped walls, which encourages frogs to escape.

Terrestrial movements and habitat use of gopher frogs in longleaf pine forests: A comparative study of juveniles and adults

Many animals exhibit changes in patterns of movement and habitat use as they age, and understanding such ontogenetic shifts is important for ensuring that habitat management is appropriate for all life stages. We used radiotelemetry to study movements and habitat use of juvenile and adult gopher frogs ( Rana capito) as they migrated from the same ponds following metamorphosis or breeding. To supplement radiotelemetry data, we also captured adult gopher frogs at drift fences as they left ponds for the terrestrial environment. We directly compared patterns of movement, directional orientation, macrohabitat use (forest type), and microhabitat use (refugia) between the two life stages. Both juveniles and adults moved considerable distances from breeding ponds (up to 691 m) and selected fire-maintained longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris) forest over fire-suppressed forest. However, fire-suppressed habitat appeared to be a greater barrier to juveniles than adults. Additionally, we found differences in microhabitat use; both juveniles and adults used underground refuges (e.g., burrows and stump holes) for shelter, but juveniles used such refuges less often than adults. Juveniles also took more time than adults to locate their first refuge after exiting ponds. These differences may reflect the juveniles’ lack of experience in terrestrial habitats. Unlike juveniles, adults are likely more familiar with the locations of specific habitat features (e.g., burrows and ponds) and may take the shortest routes when moving among them, even if it requires moving through fire-suppressed habitat. Previous research has recommended that terrestrial habitats surrounding breeding ponds should be managed with frequent prescribed fire (i.e., 1–3-year intervals) in order to maintain suitable terrestrial habitat for juvenile gopher frogs, and our study suggests that these management practices are also likely beneficial to adults.

Canopy Closure and Emigration by Juvenile Gopher Frogs

ABSTRACT Although studies have addressed effects of abrupt transitions in habitat type (e.g., forest‐clear‐cut or forest‐field edges) on amphibian movements, little is known about effects of more subtle habitat transitions on patterns of migration and habitat use in amphibians. We used radiotelemetry to study movement patterns of juvenile gopher frogs (Rana capito) emigrating from ponds that were surrounded by longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forest that varied in structure as a result of fire suppression. Our primary purpose was to determine if frogs emigrate directionally from their natal ponds and select habitat at random during their first month following metamorphosis. We found that frogs emigrated in nonrandom directions from ponds that were surrounded by heterogeneous habitat and selected fire‐maintained habitat that was associated with an open canopy, few hardwood trees, small amounts of leaf litter, and large amounts of wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana). Fire‐maintained habitat contained higher densities of burrows excavated by gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) and small mammals, which are the priamry refuge sites for both juvenile and adult gopher frogs. Frogs moved up to 691 m from their natal ponds, frequently crossed dirt roads, and even seemed to use these roads as migration corridors. To maintain suitable terrestrial habitat for gopher frogs, including habitat used by migrating individuals, it is important to apply frequent prescribed fire to uplands surrounding breeding ponds that lead all the way to the edges of breeding ponds, as well as through ponds during periodic droughts.