Evaluating Methodologies to Survey <i>Eleutherodactylus Frogs</i> in Montane Forests of Puerto Rico. Fogarty, J. H. & Vilella, F. J. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 29:948–955, 2001.
abstract   bibtex   
The evaluation of anuran call-count survey methods against more precise population estimation techniques for validation purposes is being researched only recently. Many investigators believe that call-survey methods should be calibrated to true population size to obtain reliable records, and this has not been done for call-survey methods in Neotropical regions. We compared anuran survey methodologies in the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico. We evaluated using mark-recapture, transects, and point counts to survey Eleutherodactylus populations for information content, logistics, and effort in native cordillera forest and eucalyptus plantations. We used programs CAPTURE and DISTANCE to generate population estimates and associated variances. Mark-recapture results showed density of E. coqui males was greater (P=0.04) in native forest. Total population estimates derived from mark-recapture were used with calling estimates to calculate proportion of calling males. Humidity was associated with density of calling males in native forest (P<0.001) and eucalyptus (P=0.01) plantations. Call counts of E. coqui within 5-m radius of points were correlated with density of calling males in native (P<0.001) and eucalyptus (P=0.001) sites and for combined data (P<0.001). We recommend that mark-recapture be used when detailed information is needed on an anuran species. Mean species richness detected between line transect (x=1.98) and point count (x=1.67) differed significantly; only one frog species was detected using mark-recapture. Point counts required the least effort but provided the least amount of useful information. Future research should develop predictive models linking call counts to density estimates and examine seasonal effects.
@ARTICLE{Fogarty2001,
  author = {Jarrod H. Fogarty and Francisco J. Vilella},
  title = {Evaluating Methodologies to Survey \textit{Eleutherodactylus Frogs}
	in Montane Forests of Puerto Rico},
  journal = {Wildlife Society Bulletin},
  year = {2001},
  volume = {29},
  pages = {948--955},
  abstract = {The evaluation of anuran call-count survey methods against more precise
	population estimation techniques for validation purposes is being
	researched only recently. Many investigators believe that call-survey
	methods should be calibrated to true population size to obtain reliable
	records, and this has not been done for call-survey methods in Neotropical
	regions. We compared anuran survey methodologies in the Cordillera
	Central of Puerto Rico. We evaluated using mark-recapture, transects,
	and point counts to survey Eleutherodactylus populations for information
	content, logistics, and effort in native cordillera forest and eucalyptus
	plantations. We used programs CAPTURE and DISTANCE to generate population
	estimates and associated variances. Mark-recapture results showed
	density of E. coqui males was greater (P=0.04) in native forest.
	Total population estimates derived from mark-recapture were used
	with calling estimates to calculate proportion of calling males.
	Humidity was associated with density of calling males in native forest
	(P<0.001) and eucalyptus (P=0.01) plantations. Call counts of E.
	coqui within 5-m radius of points were correlated with density of
	calling males in native (P<0.001) and eucalyptus (P=0.001) sites
	and for combined data (P<0.001). We recommend that mark-recapture
	be used when detailed information is needed on an anuran species.
	Mean species richness detected between line transect (x=1.98) and
	point count (x=1.67) differed significantly; only one frog species
	was detected using mark-recapture. Point counts required the least
	effort but provided the least amount of useful information. Future
	research should develop predictive models linking call counts to
	density estimates and examine seasonal effects.},
  file = {Fogarty&Vilella2001.pdf:Fogarty&Vilella2001.pdf:PDF},
  owner = {Tiago},
  subdatabase = {distance},
  timestamp = {2007.11.18}
}

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