A survey of the amphibians of Mammoth Cave National Park
Hale MF. 1984. A survey of the amphibians of Mammoth Cave National Park. University of Louisville. Louisville, KY
This thesis studies eighteen survey sites representing various terrestrial and subterranean habitats within Mammoth Cave National Park. Sixteen species of salamanders and fourteen species of toads and frogs were found. Unusual aspects of selected populations are discussed. Tables of park temperatures and precipitation from March 1982 to October 1984 and a cross section profile of the Mammoth Cave area are included. Twenty-two maps show distribution of thirteen salamander species and all fourteen anuran species. Ponds, springs, and streams above and under ground were surveyed. Habitats in Great Onyx, Sloan's Crossing, White's, and Mammoth Caves, including Echo River, Cathedral Domes, and Shaler's Brook, were also collection sites. This is the first survey of the amphibians of Mammoth Cave National Park since the 1930's. Salamanders described include: cave salamander (Eurycea lucifuga), eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum), four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum), longtail salamander (Eurycea longicauda), marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum), midland mud salamander (Pseudotriton montanus), mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus), northern dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus), northern red salamander (Pseudotriton ruber), northern two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata), red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens), slimy salamander (Plethodon glutinosus), spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), Jefferson's salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum), zig-zag salamander (Plethodon dorsalis). The 14 anurans described include: Blanchard's cricket frog (Acris crepitans), bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), Cope's gray treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis), eastern American toad (Bufo americanus), eastern narrowmouth toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis), eastern spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii), Fowler's toad (Bufo woodhousei), green frog (Rana clamitans), mountain chorus frog (Pseudacris brachyphona), northern spring peeper (Hyla crucifer), pickerel frog (Rana palustris), southern leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala), upland chorus frog (Pseudacris triseriata), wood frog (Rana sylvatica).
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Hale, Marilyn
- Date of Issue
- 1984-12
- Publisher
- University of Louisville
- Units
- MACA
- Keywords
- Air Temperature, Amphibian, Animal Studies, Atmospheric Sciences, Caves, Distribution, Frogs & Toads (Salientia), Habitats, Lakes & Ponds, Population, Precipitation, Rivers & Streams, Salamanders (Caudata), Springs, Subterranean Rivers & Streams