An Amphibian Survey of Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, Ohio
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Date
2005-04
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Abstract
We surveyed Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, Ohio, for amphibians during a 4-year period, from 1998-2002. Sampling techniques used were visual encounter surveys (hand collecting in terrestrial and aquatic habitats), call surveys for anurans, and sampling larvae using nets. We located 439 individuals of 16 species; of these, 7 were caudates and 9 were anurans. Specimens collected included 6 township records (Wayne County, Franklin Township: Plethodon glutinosus, Rana sylvatica; Wayne County,
Wooster Township: R. clamitans melanota, R. pipiens; Holmes County, Prairie Township: Eurycea l. longicauda, Bufo a. americanus). The most common species were R. clamitans melanota and R. pipiens. The wildlife area contains extensive marshland and abundant temporary aquatic habitats (ponds, roadside ditches) that serve as breeding areas for anurans and pond breeding caudates (Ambystomatidae)that cannot coexist with predatory fish. Forested upland areas provide habitat for woodland salamanders
(Plethodon) and their predators such as Pseudotriton r. ruber and Diadophis punctatus edwardsii. We compared our data to those of a previous survey. The amphibian community at Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area appears to have changed little during the last 40 years, but increases in the number of forest dwelling species may be a result of continuing forest maturation at KMWA.
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Author Institution: Dept of Biology, University of Montevallo, AL
Author Institution: Dept of Biology, John Carroll University, OH
Author Institution: Biology Dept, Bowdoin College, ME
Author Institution: Dept of Biology, John Carroll University, OH
Author Institution: Biology Dept, Bowdoin College, ME
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Citation
The Ohio Journal of Science, v105, n2 (April 2005), 2-7.