An Amphibian Survey of Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area, Ohio1

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Ohio journal of science Vol. 105; no. 2; p. 2
Main Authors Wicknick, Jill A, Anthony, Carl D, Reblin, Jaret S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Columbus Ohio Academy of Science 01.04.2005
Subjects
Animal populations
Conservation biology
Habitats
Reptiles & amphibians
Wildlife sanctuaries
Ohio
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Summary: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. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0030-0950
2471-9390