Habitat preferences of breeding amphibians in eastern spain

Galvez, Ángel, McKnight, Donald T., and Monrós, Juan S. (2018) Habitat preferences of breeding amphibians in eastern spain. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 13 (2). pp. 453-463.

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Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the reproductive habitat preferences of several species of amphibians in eastern Spain. We recorded amphibian presence/absence and measured biotic and abiotic variables at 67 ponds in a 43.5 km(2) area representing a wide variety of aquatic ecosystems, such as temporary and semipermanent cisterns, drinking troughs, and natural and artificial ponds, all of various sizes and depths. We used this information to predict occupancy using Generalized Linear Models. We built models for the Iberian Ribbed Newt (Pleurodeles waltl), Iberian Green Frog (Pelophylax perezi), Common Midwife Toad (Alytes obstetricans), Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita), and Mediterranean Parsley Frog (Pelodytes hespericus). We also found Common Toad (Bubo spinosus) and Spadefoot Toad (Pelobates cultripes) but did not build models for them. The variables that explained occupancy were species specific, with depth and, especially, the type of substratum playing key roles in most of them. Type of substratum reflected pond age and was represented by hard substratum (associated with new artificial ponds and structures), hard substratum covered by soft sediment (associated with old artificial ponds and structures), and soft substratum (associated with old natural ponds). The differences among the species in occupancy models indicate that species-specific management actions may be necessary to preserve the amphibian community in the long term.

Item ID: 55621
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1931-7603
Keywords: Alytes obstetricans, breeding habitat, Epidalea calamita, generalized linear model, occupancy, Pelodytes hespericus, Pelophylax perezi, Pleurodeles waltl
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Copyright Information: Copyright © 2018. Ángel Gálvez. All Rights Reserved.
Funders: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN)
Projects and Grants: MICINN CGL2016-78260-P
Date Deposited: 19 Sep 2018 09:17
FoR Codes: 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310301 Behavioural ecology @ 50%
31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310308 Terrestrial ecology @ 50%
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