Herpetofaunal sampling in the North Carolina coastal plain : a comparison between techniques across habitats / by Jeffrey Galen Hall.
| Author/creator | Hall, Jeffrey G. author. |
| Other author | Lamb, Trip, degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Biology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 2006. |
| Description | vii, 163 leaves : illustrations (some color), maps (some color) ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | Numerous techniques have been used to study reptile and amphibian communities, and researchers must often choose among these methods to obtain the most useful data. I assessed the effectiveness of: 1) artificial cover materials arrayed in transects, including wood, tin and PVC pipes; and 2) drift fences with pitfalls and with pitfalls and funnel traps. A total of 5,718 captures of 29 reptile and 21 amphibian species were encountered in coastal plain habitats in North Carolina from 1999 to 2002. Cover transects accounted for 1,912 encounters of 19 reptile and 15 amphibian species whereas drift fences trapped 3,806 animals of 28 reptile and 17 amphibian species. The most frequently encountered species using cover transects were the squirrel treefrog (Hyla squirella), green treefrog (Hyla cinerea), pine woods treefrog (Hyla femoralis), Atlantic coast slimy salamander {Plethodon chlorobryonis). Copes gray treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis), and green anole (Anolis carolinensis). This group accounted for 74% of total encounters with cover transects. Those species most frequently encountered using drift fences were the eastern narrow-mouthed toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis), southern leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala), southern toad (Bufo terrestris), and green frog (Rana clamitans). These species accounted for 83% of total encounters along fences. Comparative analysis of these field data proved useful in identifying the relative effectiveness of the two sampling techniques, allowing comments on their general utility to future researchers and land managers. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Biology. |
| General note | Advisor: Trip Lamb |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 2006 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |