Journal Article

Defining Core Habitat of Local Populations of the Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor) Based on Choice of Oviposition Site

Jarrett R. Johnson, Semlitsch, Raymond D.

2003

Overview

Concern over amphibian population declines and loss of terrestrial and aquatic habitat have emphasized the need to define habitat requirements for each stage in a species' life history. The realization that pond-breeding amphibians spend most of their lives in the terrestrial environment suggests the need to protect terrestrial as well as aquatic habitat. Many studies on amphibian populations have focused on emigration from breeding sites to define habitat use; however these studies do not typically elucidate terrestrial activities of adults within the breeding season. We measured colonization rates of artificial pools by gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) at multiple distances from natural breeding ponds. We found a non-random distribution of egg deposition among distances, with 95% of eggs deposited within 15 m of the breeding pond. Additionally, we found that the time to first colonization of artificial pools increased with respect to distance. Our results indicate that adult gray treefrogs may travel up to 200 m within a breeding season, and that multiple breeding ponds may be considered part of a single population. We suggest that a minimum core terrestrial habitat of 60 m surrounding breeding sites is appropriate for protection of local populations of gray treefrogs.

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: adults / Amphibians / Animal, plant and microbial ecology / Animals / Anura - physiology / Applied ecology / aquatic habitat / Aquatic habitats / Biological and medical sciences / Breeding / Breeding seasons / Breeding sites / Colonization / Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife / Eggs / Emigration / Environment / Female / Freshwater / Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology / Habitat conservation / habitat preferences / Habitat utilization / Hyla versicolor / Life history / Local population / Metapopulation ecology / Oviposition / oviposition sites / Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking / Plant breeding / Ponds / Population decline / Population Dynamics / Population Ecology / Reptiles & amphibians / Swimming pools / Terrestrial environments / Trees / Water Supply