Long-term fluctuations of an isolated populaton of the Pacific chorus frog (Psuedacris regilla) in northwestern Nevada

Authors

Norman H. Weitzel, Oakland, Oregon
Howard R. Panik, Western Nevada Community College, Carson City, Nevada

Abstract

In 80% of the years between 1975 and 1989 chorus frogs were able to produce offspring that completed metamorphosis and became members of the next generation. During 3 of these 15 years (1975, 1983, and 1986), floods annihilated chorus frogs in the breeding pond. Between 1905 and 1989 this geographically isolated population of Pseudacris regilla, the Pacific chorus frog, located at the western edge of the Great Basin in northwestern Nevada, became reestablished after 10 natural physical disturbances including spring flash floods, numerous kill-offs by sudden drastic rises in water temperature, and stream dry-ups. Ninety percent of the frogs in this population were shades of green with black dorsal speckles and eyestripes. Predators were the belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), western terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans), and domestic house cat (Felix domestica).

Recommended Citation

Weitzel, Norman H. and Panik, Howard R. (1993) "Long-term fluctuations of an isolated populaton of the Pacific chorus frog (Psuedacris regilla) in northwestern Nevada," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 53: No. 4, Article 8.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol53/iss4/8