Demography of common toads after local extirpation of co-occurring midwife toads
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Estimating demographic parameters like survival or recruitment provides insight into the state and trajectory of populations, but understanding the contexts influencing those parameters, including both biotic and abiotic factors, is particularly important for management and conservation. At a high elevation national park in Central Spain, common toads (Bufo bufo) are apparently taking advantage of the near-extirpation of the midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans), as colonization into new breeding ponds is evident. Within this scenario, we expected demographic parameters of common toad populations tobe affected favorably by the putative release from competition. However, we found the population growth rate was negative in 4 of 5 years at the long-standing population; survival probability at the long-standing population and newly-colonised breeding ponds was lower than reported for other toads living at high elevations and the probability of recruitment was inadequate to compensate for the survival rate in maintaining a positive trajectory for either of the breeding ponds. We assessed weather covariates and disease for their contribution to the context that may be limiting the common toad’s successful use of the niche vacated by the midwife toad.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Demography of common toads after local extirpation of co-occurring midwife toads |
| Series title | Amphibia-Reptilia |
| DOI | 10.1163/15685381-00002952 |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 2014 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft |
| Publisher location | Wiesbaden |
| Contributing office(s) | Fort Collins Science Center |
| Description | 11 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Amphibia-Reptilia |
| First page | 293 |
| Last page | 303 |
| Country | Spain |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |