Loading...
An ecological study of the cricket frog, Acris crepitans, in northeastern Kansas
Burkett, Ray D.
Burkett, Ray D.
Citations
Altmetric:
Abstract
The cricket frog, Acris crepitans, is a useful subject for population studies since it is generally present in large numbers throughout most of the year near permanent and semipermanent bodies of water and tends to form separate and distinct populations. Populations of this species were studied in and near Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas, in the autumn of 1961 and from autumn, 1963, through spring, 1966. Two populations were studied intensively: one at the University of Kansas Natural History Reservation, about seven miles northeast of Lawrence, and the other at the University of Kansas Fish Laboratory on the southwestern part of the campus in Lawrence. A total of 2492 frogs was marked at the Natural History Reservation, and 1077 frogs were marked at the Fish Laboratory. The importance of the Kansas River (which lies between the two populations) as a barrier to gene flow is uncertain. Cricket frogs are found on both sides of the river and occasionally may cross it either intentionally or accidentally. Crossing of the river by adults probably occurs mainly during flooding, as Acris generally will not voluntarily swim more than a few feet from shore. These two populations (hereinafter referred to as the Reservation population and the Fish Lab population) were permitted to exist naturally, except that a few small samples of unmarked frogs were taken from them occasionally for preservation. Samples also were taken periodically from the Rockefeller Experimental Tract, adjacent to the Reservation on the north; two miles west of the Reservation; Lone Star Lake, 12 miles southwest of Lawrence; Baldwin Woods, 15 miles south of Lawrence; and three miles south of Denison, Jackson County, Kansas.
The main objective of this study was to determine if there were any differences in the ecology of populations of cricket frogs in different habitats separated by only a few miles. Morphological variations have been used as criteria for taxonomic studies for years, but ecological criteria have come into use only recently. However, little is known concerning ecological variation within a local area. Since Acris crepitans lives in a variety of habitats, it is suitable for this kind of study. Since morphological variation often reflects ecological conditions, it was assumed that ecological variation might shed light upon morphological differences in populations.
Description
Ph.D. University of Kansas, Zoology 1969
Date
1969-05-31
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Kansas
Collections
Files
Loading...
burkett_1969_3571506.pdf
Adobe PDF, 3.85 MB
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Cricket frog, Acris crepitans, Kansas