Amphibian habitat preferences among artificial ponds in the Palouse region of northern Idaho

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Monello, Ryan J.; Wright, R. Gerald

Source:

Journal of Herpetology, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Volume 33, Issue 2, p.298-303 (1999)

Call Number:

A99MON01IDUS

URL:

http://www.jstor.org/stable/1565727

Keywords:

Ambystoma macrodactylum, Ambystoma tigrinum, American bullfrog, Anaxyrus boreas, Bufo boreas, Columbia Spotted Frog, Hyla regilla, Lithobates catesbeianus, Long-toed Salamander, Pacific treefrog, Pseudacris regilla, Rana luteiventris, roughskin newt, Taricha granulosa, tiger salamander, Western Toad

Abstract:

The authors surveyed 30 private, artificial ponds in Latah County, Idaho, in 1996 and 1997, from March to August, adding seven ponds to the study in 1997. The ponds were located in four general habitat classifications and were typical of the Palouse in size and construction, consisting of permanent water impoundments created by digging out and damming areas of high water runoff. Anuran presence was determined, along with reproduction (eggs, larvae, and metamorphosed larvae). Salamanders were sampled, and 10 habitat variables were measured. The habitat variables were included in a function analysis to determine whether differences could be identified among sites with and without each amphibian species. The authors found four anuran and three salamander species. Three variables were important for Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris) reproduction: pond age, emergent vegetation occurrence, and distance from agricultural land. The long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) reproduction was positively correlated with presence of emergent vegetation and negatively correlated with forested land and grassland areas. Jackknifed classification matrices correctly identified the occurrence of reproduction in 19 ponds (66%) for R. luteiventris and 26 ponds (90%) for A. macrodactylum. The presence of nonnative fish is the largest factor influencing amphibian occurrence and reproduction in the ponds surveyed. Although several fish predators of amphibians (largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish) were found in this study, four (50%) of the ponds with fish contained only goldfish (Carassius auratus). Study findings suggest that this predator is capable of either preventing or eliminating native, western amphibians from occupying ponds. This finding has not been previously documented. Only American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana [Lithobates catesbeianus]) was able to reproduce in ponds containing fish. Artificial ponds in the Palouse region do seem to adequately support several amphibians: A. macrodactylum, Pacific treefrog (H. regilla [Pseudacris regilla]), and R. luteiventris. Although few in number, ponds in the northern portion of the study area provide suitable breeding sites for the roughskin newt (Taricha granulosa). Conversely, at least two species, the western toad (Bufo boreas [Anaxyrus boreas]) and blotched tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum), do not appear to have effectively exploited artificial ponds for reproduction or dispersal.