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A field guide to amphibian larvae and eggs of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa

Information and Technology Report USGS/BRD/ITR-2002-0004
By: , , and 

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Abstract

Apparent worldwide declines in amphibian populations (Pechmann and Wake 1997) have stimulated interest in amphibians as bioindicators of the health of ecosystems. Because we have little information on the population status of many species, there is interest by public and private land management agencies in monitoring amphibian populations. Amphibian egg and larval surveys are established methods of surveying pond-breeding amphibians. Adults may be widely dispersed across the landscape, but eggs and larvae are confined to the breeding site during a specific season of the year. Also, observations of late-stage larvae or metamorphs are evidence of successful reproduction, which is an important indicator of the viability of the population. The goal of this guide is to help students, natural resources personnel, and biologists identify eggs and larval stages of amphibians in the field without the aid of a microscope.

Suggested Citation

Parmelee, J. R., M. G. Knutson, and J. E. Lyon. 2002. A field guide to amphibian larvae and eggs of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Information and Technology Report USGS/BRD/ITR-2002-0004, Washington, D.C. iv + 38 pp.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype Federal Government Series
Title A field guide to amphibian larvae and eggs of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa
Series title Information and Technology Report
Series number USGS/BRD/ITR-2002-0004
Year Published 2002
Language English
Publisher U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Publisher location Washington, DC
Contributing office(s) Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Description 48 p.
Country United States
State Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details