Inventory of Amphibian and Reptile Populations In Northeast Parks

National Park Service; Wildlife Conservation Society

Inventory of reptiles and amphibians taken by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the National Park Service for the Northeast Parks. A list of species expected to inhabit MORR (Appendix 3) was obtained through water resources studies, natural history observations, and general observations. The herpetofauna has not been formally documented at MORR. In 1983 Mele and Mele evaluated stream water quality and sampled biota, Iisting numerous reptile and amphibian species. Breck Kent (1980), a historical photographer, also reported herpetofauna found in MORR while photographing the park. This is the most comprehensive species list to date. NPS staff and regular visitors have reported other species. Various species are uncommon and prone to misidentification. For this reason there is a possibility of confusion among species, and some of the species previously documented are considered questionable. Through these aforementioned studies and reports, a list of expected species was compiled. There remains a lack of sufficient documentation of population sizes or distributions within the park and in general snake populations are inadequately documented. Of particular importance are the many species that are listed as federal and state Endangered (E), Threatened (T) or Special Concern (SC) species, including Clemmys insculpta (wood turtle, T), Eurycea longicauda (long-tailed salamander, T), Ambystoma laterale (blue-spotted salamander, E), and A. laterale x A. jeffersonianum complex (Tremblay's salamander, E) (Behler 1999). The methods used in this inventory include a variety of general herpetological survey techniques. Different methodologies were used to gain an accurate representation of species composition by targeting specific taxa and/ or life stages. Using an assortment of methods provides more expansive information concerning the species that inhabit certain areas and whether or not they are using these wetlands specifically for breeding. This will allow us to better assess habitat usage by each species and thus identify critical habitats for federally listed species. The methods described here were devised by Behler and Cook (1999) and are subdivided into the various sampling techniques. Locations of these sites can be referenced by map (Appendix 4) and GPS 4 locale of traps and coverboards were recorded (Appendix 5). Data sheets for each method can also be referenced (Appendix 6).

Inventory of Amphibian and Reptile Populations In Northeast Parks

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