Marshall University Marshall Digital Scholar Theses, Dissertations and Capstones 1-1-2008 Habitat Comparison of Pseudacris f. feriarum and Pseudacris c. crucifer with Emphasis on Associated Plant Communities and Distribution of Clemmys guttata and Pseudacris f. feriarum in West Virginia Scott oJ seph Albaugh [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://mds.marshall.edu/etd Part of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons Recommended Citation Albaugh, Scott osJ eph, "Habitat Comparison of Pseudacris f. feriarum and Pseudacris c. crucifer with Emphasis on Associated Plant Communities and Distribution of Clemmys guttata and Pseudacris f. feriarum in West Virginia" (2008). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. Paper 436. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Marshall Digital Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses, Dissertations and Capstones by an authorized administrator of Marshall Digital Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Habitat Comparison of Pseudacris f. feriarum and Pseudacris c. crucifer with Emphasis on Associated Plant Communities and Distribution of Clemmys guttata and Pseudacris f. feriarum in West Virginia Thesis submitted to The Graduate College of Marshall University In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Science Biological Sciences by Scott Joseph Albaugh Thomas K. Pauley, Committee Chair Charles Somerville, Committee Member Dan Evans, Committee Member December, 2008 Abstract Habitat Comparison of Pseudacris f. feriarum and Pseudacris c. crucifer in West Virginia with Emphasis on Associated Plant Communities and Distribution of Clemmys guttata and Pseudacris f. feriarum in West Virginia SCOTT J. ALBAUGH. Dept of Biological Science, Marshall University, 1 John Marshall Dr., Huntington, WV 25755 Upland Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris f. feriarum) are a rare species in West Virginia. They occur in aquatic habitats across parts of the eastern and southern U.S. Pseudacris f. feriarum collection records in West Virginia suggest that their distribution is limited to the eastern panhandle and Ridge and Valley region where they are very rare and imperiled. Distribution information is needed for future management strategies. To help conserve this rare species, key life history habits were identified through the investigation of plant communities that are associated with them. Data on Pseudacris f. feriarum distribution in West Virginia was determined by conducting auditory surveys at historic sites as well as potential new sites in order to gain a better idea of where populations exist in the state. Vegetation analysis and water quality tests were conducted wherever Pseudacris f. feriarum were found. Similar data were also gathered from areas where Pseudacris c. crucifer (Northern Spring Peeper) were found so that these wetlands can be compared to wetlands where the Pseudacris f. feriarum were located. This comparison has shown the importance of plants associated with each Pseudacris species in its aquatic habitats. The result of this undertaking has been a clearer understanding of the distribution of Pseudacris f. feriarum and its association with wetland plants and Pseudacris c. crucifer. Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) are a species of special concern in West Virginia. Trapping and haphazard searches were conducted during spring of 2007 and 2008 in order to learn more about the species distribution so that successful management strategies could be implemented. During this project historical sites were searched, as well as new potential habitat where found. The results were that only two turtles were found, both at Altona Marsh. It is very possible that this species now resides at only two or three locations in West Virginia. ii Acknowledgments There are two individuals who deserve the most thanks in helping me get to this point. The first is Zachary Loughman who at some time during the winter of 2006 said to me, “Why don’t you go to Marshall?” Zac and I had been discussing my intentions of attending graduate school. At that time my intentions hadn’t evolved into action, but it was Zac who encouraged me to contact Dr. Pauley and to send in the admissions application. Once I was accepted and was working on my research, I knew that I could always call Zac with any questions and he would give me his two cents. (Zac’s two cents on field research are invaluable.) I talked to Zac when I was setting my project up, when I was in the field, and when I was writing my thesis. I talked to Zac when during moments when I was feeling discouraged and he always gave me the pep talk that I needed. For anyone doing biological field work, Zac is a good man to know. I am truly blessed to call Zac my friend. The other person who has enabled me to achieve this degree is Dr. Thomas K. Pauley. I am so fortunate to have worked with and been advised by a true leader in the field of Biology. Dr. Pauley is in a class by himself. He is not just an advisor; he is a true role model. Seldom does a man come along with such an ability to influence young people not only in their academic experience, but also in their lives. Dr. Pauley is a man that leads by example. He is a man that leads with character and integrity. He never has to ask for respect from his students. We respect him without reservation because of the great human being that he is. Dr. Pauley is a great teacher, naturalist, scientist, and person all rolled into one. I doubt that I will encounter many more men in my life that I will hold in such high regard. I also want to thank Dr. Dan Evans, and Dr. Charles Somerville. I chose these two men to be on my graduate committee because they are professors who are passionate about what they do. They are men who care about their students and who have the innate desire to instill knowledge and to see students succeed. They are great teachers. They are also men whose character and integrity shine through in all they do. Dr. Evans and Dr. Somerville are also men that I have grown to respect and admire. Thanks also to my mother and grandmother who offered an immeasurable amount of love and support in the last two years. I was assisted in the field by Reid Downer, Kerie Corley, Dr. Pauley, and Zac Loughman. Field work is always easier when you have help and company. Thank you. Linda Case gave me full access to her farm on Bullskin Run in Jefferson County. She also supplied me with a warm and comfortable place to stay. Much of my Spotted Turtle work in Jefferson County would have been more difficult and complicated had Linda not been so gracious and accommodating. I only wish I had found a Spotted Turtle on her property. Thanks also to the private landowners in Morgan County who granted me access to their property. Lastly I would like to thank the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Heritage Program for funding this research. iii Table of Contents Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………i Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………...ii Acknowledgements…………………………………………...………………………….iii Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………iv List of Tables……………………………………………………………………………..v List of Figures………………………………………………………..………………….vii Part One: Distribution of Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia……………...……………………………………………………...1 Part Two: Habitat Comparison of Pseudacris f. feriarum and Pseudacris c. crucifer in West Virginia with Emphasis on Associated Plant Communities and Distribution……………………………………………………………………...21 Chapter 1: Habitat Comparison and Study Site Descriptions…………………………...21 Chapter 2: Species Accounts: Collection and Comparison of Upland Chorus Frog (P. feriarum) and Northern Spring Peeper (P. crucifer)……………….……...……51 Chapter 3: Vegetation Study To Determine Presence of Indicator Plants………………64 Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Distribution of Pseudacris feriarum in West Virginia……..……73 Literature Cited………………………………………………………………………….82 iv List of Tables 1. Results of Humphries 2002 Distribution Study……………………………………………………………………………….10 2. Locations and Effort for Spotted Turtle Searches…………………………………21 1.1 Average Variables For Each Site During Study…………………..……………….32 1.2 P. feriarum study sites……………………………………………………………..32 1.3 Site Variables for Private Wetland Number 1……………………………………..33 1.4 Site Variables for Private Wetland Number 2……………………………………..34 1.5 Site Variables for Private Wetland Number 3……………………………………..35 1.6 Site Variables for Dawson Wetland…………..……………………………...…….36 2.1 Size and Position Data for All P. feriarum………………………..……………….57 2.2 Size and Position Data for All P. crucifer…………………………………………59 2.3 Trap Data for Private Wetland 1…………………………………………….……..60 2.4 Trap Data for Private Wetland 2………………………………………….………..60 2.5 Trap Data for Private Wetland 3…………………………………………….……..60 3.1 Vegetative Groups Present in Areas Where P. feriarum was caught………….…..69 3.2 Vegetative Groups Present in Areas Where P. crucifer was caught……………….70 3.3 Vegetative Groups Present at Wetland 1 Random Surveys………………………..71 3.4 Vegetative Groups Present at Wetland 2 Random Surveys………………………..71 3.5 Vegetative Groups Present at Wetland 3 Random Surveys…………………….….71 3.6 Vegetative Groups Present at Dawson Wetland Random Surveys……………..….72 3.7 Percent Totals for Each Vegetative Group in All 4 Wetlands Combined……….…72 4.1 Morgan County Call Survey Locations and Results…………………………….…76 v 4.2 Hampshire County Call Survey Locations and Results………………………….77 4.3 Mineral County Call Survey Locations and Results……….………………...…..78 4.4 Monroe County Call Survey Locations and Results……………………………..79 4.5 Summers County Call Survey Locations and Results……………………………79 4.6 Greenbrier County Call Survey Locations and Results…………………………..79 4.7 Berkeley County Call Survey Locations and Results……………………….……80 4.8 Jefferson County Call Survey Locations and Results………………………..…..80 4.9 Hardy County Call Survey Locations and Results……………………………….80 4.10 Pendleton County Call Survey Locations and Results…………………………..81 vi List of Figures 1. Overall distribution of C. guttata………………….……………………….…12 2. Distribution of C. guttata in West Virginia……………………………..……13 3.