Acadia National Park Amphibian and Reptile Inventory: March - September 2001

Brotherton, David; Behler, John; Cook, Robert

Amphibians and reptiles were documented through anuran call counts, egg-mass counts, time-constrained search, coverboards, turtle trapping, minnow trapping, incidental encounters, and drift fence arrays on Mount Desert Island, Isle au Haut, Schoodic Peninsula, and Bar Island (March-Sept 2001). Includes species accounts and distribution maps for each species. Also includes numerous appendices of distributional information and species measurements. The following is from the report summary: '... The 18 amphibian and reptile species documented represent 82% (18/22) of the species believed to historically have occurred at Acadia. Six frog/toad, five salamander, two turtle, and five snake species were encountered during this survey. The spring peeper, spotted salamander, painted turtle, and common garter snake were the most widely distributed and encountered species in each taxonomic group. The most abundant species in each taxonomic group, based on total numbers of adults encountered were spring peeper, spotted salamander, painted turtle, and common garter snake. The American toad was recorded at seven new sites on the west side of Mount Desert Island. However, in spite of several historic records, none were found on the east side of the island. The four-toed salamander, listed as a species of special concern by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and previously recorded at only one location, was found at nine locations on both sides of Mount Desert Island. These sites were identified primarily by searching in spagnum moss dominated wetlands. The four-toed salamander was the only state-listed species found. The northern ring-necked snake was documented for the first time on Isle au Haut.' ' Many species were observed crossing roads throughout the park during rainy weather or breeding/nesting seasons. In particular, spotted and four-toed salamanders, painted and snapping turtles were found crossing Route 233 near Eagle Lake and on Duck Brook Road in significant numbers. Road casualties may be a significant mortality factor for amphibians that breed in wetlands in close proximity to well-traveled roads and turtle and snake populations at these sites may be similarly impacted. Regular monitoring and temporary closure of these roads, during peak breeding and nesting seasons (especially on rainy night) are recommended to prevent episodes of high road mortality of these species. Road sections where major amphibian and reptile mortality occur should be evaluated for elevating above grade or installation of wildlife friendly road tunnels and leaders to provide safe travel routes for migrating animals in heavy traffic areas.' 'Of the four species not found during this survey, grey treefrog and musk turtle were historically present but rarely encountered. They may still be present. More focused sampling is needed to determine their status. the absence of two formerly common amphibian species, northern leopard frog, and northern dusky salamander is more troubling. Their disappearance is not likely due to road mortality, and their apparent extirpation from the park may be due to any of a number of factors linked to recently documented amphibian declines. These include air pollutants in their many forms, pesticides, the impact of introduced fishes, and diseases such as iridovirus and chytrid fungus. Additional work focused on these two species including intensive surveys of historical sites and analysis of habitat condition and changes, including pollutant loads at those sites is recommended to determine the possible causes for the extirpation of these two species. ....' /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ / /MOUNT DESERT ISLAND/ Aunt Betty Pond / Beaver Dam Pond / Muck Pond / Blackwoods wetland / Brewer Mountain Marsh / Bubble Pond / Duck Brook Road / Duck Brook Bridge / Dudley Pond / Eagle Lake / Geronimo Pond / Gilmore Meadow / Great Meadow / Half Moon Pond / H

Acadia National Park Amphibian and Reptile Inventory: March - September 2001

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