2006 Saguaro National Park Progress Report: Effects of Road Mortality on Native Anuran Populations at Saguaro National Park.
Campbell S and Schwalbe C. 2006. 2006 Saguaro National Park Progress Report: Effects of Road Mortality on Native Anuran Populations at Saguaro National Park.
Past studies have shown that anurans are often killed in large numbers on the roads within and adjacent to Saguaro National Park (SNP) (Kline et al. 2005). The effects of this mortality on the anuran populations are unknown. Road mortality could especially affect populations of the long-lived Sonoran Desert Toad (Bufo alvarius). The purpose of this study is to determine breeding-site locations, breeding population size estimates, and other demographic data for selected populations of native desert-breeding anurans, while simultaneously evaluating effects of road mortality on those populations. The most common native desert-breeding anurans encountered on SNP roads are the Red-spotted Toad (Bufo punctatus), Couch’s Spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii), Sonoran Desert Toad (Bufo alvarius), and Great Plains Toad (Bufo cognatus). In 2005, we worked on both the Tucson Mountain District (TMD) and Rincon Mountain District (RMD) of the Park. In 2006, the closure of the loop road for resurfacing on RMD forced us to concentrate our efforts on TMD, though we did collect rainfall and roadkill data for RMD.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Campbell, Stacy; Schwalbe, Cecil
- Date of Issue
- 2006
- Units
- SAGU
- Keywords
- breeding population size estimates, breeding site locations, Road Mortality