Marshall University Marshall Digital Scholar Theses, Dissertations and Capstones 1-1-2006 Natural History and Distribution of the Upland Chorus Frog, Pseudacris feriarum Baird, in West Virginia Jaime Sias [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://mds.marshall.edu/etd Part of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, and the Population Biology Commons Recommended Citation Sias, Jaime, "Natural History and Distribution of the Upland Chorus Frog, Pseudacris feriarum Baird, in West Virginia" (2006). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. Paper 374. 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]. Natural History and Distribution of the Upland Chorus Frog, Pseudacris feriarum Baird, in West Virginia Thesis submitted to the Graduate College Marshall University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biological Sciences by Jaime Sias Dr. Thomas K. Pauley, Committee Director Dr. Nicki LoCascio, Committee Member Dr. Jeffrey May, Committee Member May 2006 Keywords: Pseudacris feriarum, Natural History, Phenology, Amphibian Declines Copyright © 2006 i Abstract Natural History of the Upland Chorus Frog, Pseudacris feriarum Baird, in West Virginia by Jaime Sias Chapter 1 is a literature review of Pseudacris feriarum, largely based on published P. triseriata Complex species accounts. Chapter 2 presents the natural history of P. feriarum in West Virginia and compares some parameters with other Pseudacris species. Chapter 3 looks at the phenology of a wetland in eastern West Virginia. Chapter 4 examines the current range of P. feriarum and compares it with the historical range in the state. Finally, hypotheses are given as to why Upland Chorus Frogs have declined in West Virginia. All information obtained from this study should be used to create a management plan for the conservation of all present and future P. feriarum populations. ii Acknowledgments I first want to thank Dr. Pauley for taking me under his “wing.” When I joined his lab, the only herps I could identify were newts and box turtles. I quickly learned that he was always available and that I could go to him for anything. He always offered guidance, suggestions and opinions all the while with a smile on his face. Through all his teasing and support, I learned how graduate school could actually be fun. Secondly, I would like to recognize my parents. From an early age, I was told I could do and be anything. I learned one of the most important things in life is to do what you love and you will never have to work a day in your life. I want to express thanks to Ms. Iva Lou Dawson for allowing me unfettered use of her property. Without her assistance, my research would not have gone as smoothly. I also want to thank those who responded to my WVDNR article and the WVDNR who funded this project; without this financial assistance, my research would not have been as easy. Of course I am grateful for my lab mates who I learned from and had fun with while in the field and classroom. To Teresa, who I constantly harassed for computer help; to Zac, who I constantly harassed in general; to Deborah and Kelley who helped in the field; to Ashley who kept me entertained and finally to Geneleen for his superior GIS assistance! I appreciate all who proofread my “book” and offered helpful suggestions. Thanks to Dr. Evans for help in identifying vegetation found at my study site. And finally, thanks to my committee members (Drs. May and LoCascio) who agreed to be part of this experience. iii Table of Contents Abstract....... ........................................................................................................ ii Acknowledgments ............................................................................................. iii Table of Contents............................................................................................... iv List of Figures .................................................................................................... vi List of Tables..................................................................................................... vii Study Site Description......................................................................................viii Chapter 1: Literature Review............................................................................1 Pseudacris Phylogenetic Relationships.............................................................1 Pseudacris feriarum Distribution and Habitats ..................................................2 West Virginia Pseudacris species .....................................................................3 Pseudacris feriarum Phenotypic Characteristics ...............................................4 Pre-breeding (Hibernation)................................................................................5 Breeding............................................................................................................6 Amplexus and Egg Deposition ..........................................................................7 Tadpoles ...........................................................................................................8 Post-breeding (Adults).....................................................................................11 Chapter 2. Natural History of Pseudacris feriarum in West Virginia ...........16 Abstract..............................................................................................................16 Introduction...................................................................................................... 16 Natural History..................................................................................................16 Amphibian Sampling .......................................................................................17 Materials and Methods .....................................................................................17 2004 and 2005 Weather Comparisons............................................................17 Field versus Laboratory Morphological Measurements for P. feriarum ...........17 Trapping ..........................................................................................................17 Results...............................................................................................................19 2004 and 2005 Weather Comparisons............................................................19 Field versus Laboratory Morphological Measurements for P. feriarum ...........20 Emergence (2004)...........................................................................................20 Egg Deposition and Egg Length (2004) ..........................................................20 Larvae Development and Froglet Stage (2004) ..............................................21 Emergence (2005)...........................................................................................21 Egg Deposition (2005).....................................................................................22 Discussion.........................................................................................................22 Emergence and Breeding Period ....................................................................23 Egg Deposition and Egg Length......................................................................25 Larval Development and Froglet Stage ...........................................................26 Summary.........................................................................................................26 Pseudacris feriarum versus other Pseudacris species ....................................27 Chapter 3. Phenology of a Wetland in Eastern West Virginia......................32 Abstract....... ......................................................................................................32 Introduction........................................................................................................32 Phenology...........................................................................................................32 Sampling Amphibians......................................................................................32 iv Predicted Species ...........................................................................................32 Materials and Methods .....................................................................................35 Results...............................................................................................................35 Discussion.........................................................................................................38 Chapter 4. Distribution of Pseudacris feriarum in West Virginia.................46 Abstract...... .......................................................................................................46 Introduction........................................................................................................46 Amphibian Declines, Possible Causes and Impacts........................................46 Amphibians as “Bioindicators”.........................................................................48 Status of Pseudacris feriarum in West Virginia................................................50 Declining: Pseudacris feriarum