Herpetofaunal Drift-fence Surveys of Steephead Ravines in the Florida Panhandle

• Published in: Southeastern naturalist (Steuben, Me.) Vol. 4; no. 4; pp. 657 - 678
• Main Author: Enge, Kevin M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Humboldt Field Research Institute 01.12.2005
• Subjects: Amphibians; Amphiuma; Amphiuma pholeter; Caudata; CONTENTS; Creeks; Desmognathus; Highlands; Lacertilia; Pseudotriton ruber; Rana okaloosae; Ravines; Reptiles; Salamanders; Siren; Snakes; Stream habitats; Streams; Sus scrofa; Tributaries; China, People's Rep., Huang He R; USA, New Mexico, Santa Rosa; USA, Florida; USA, Florida, Florida Panhandle
• ISSN: 1528-7092; 1938-5412
• DOI: 10.1656/1528-7092(2005)004[0657:HDSOSR]2.0.CO;2

Herpetofauna of steephead ravines in the Blackwater and Yellow River drainages, Okaloosa or Santa Rosa County, FL, were surveyed using funnel traps along drift fences. Nineteen amphibian and 24 reptile species in seven steephead ravine sites were documented during 165 days of trapping. Amphibian or reptile species composition was most similar between steephead ravines in the Blackwater and northern Yellow River systems, which were in close proximity. Ravines in the northern Yellow River system, however, were unique in apparently lacking Dusky Salamanders (Desmognathus sp.). Herpetofaunal species composition among ravines was somewhat similar to that found in ravines farther east in the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee River drainages, but 12 species were trapped only in Ochlockonee–Apalachicola ravines and 13 species only in Blackwater–Yellow ravines. The first month of trapping experienced heavy rainfall from Hurricane Georges and produced 76% of all captures of Pseudotriton ruber (Red Salamanders) and three aquatic salamander species. Amphibian captures, particularly salamanders, were correlated positively with precipitation. The most productive trapping months were April, June, and August for anurans; February and October for salamanders; and April and June for reptiles. Mean recapture rates were 8.6% for anurans, 6.8% for salamanders, 52.2% for turtles, 17.3% for lizards, and 9.8% for snakes. Data were collected on some little-known species: Rana okaloosae (Florida Bog Frog), Amphiuma pholeter (One-toed Amphiuma), and Siren cf. intermedia (“Least” Siren). Potential threats to ravine herpetofauna are logging, water pollution, groundwater use, stream siltation from dirt roads and cleared lands, stream impoundment, recreational use, trash dumping, Sus scrofa (feral hogs), and management of adjacent upland habitat.