Toe Tip Morphology in Six Species of Salamanders, genus Ambystoma (Caudata: Ambystomatidae) from Arkansas Using Scanning Electron Microscopy

The toe tip friction surface in six species of Ambystoma (A. annulatum, A.maculatum, A.opacum, A. talpoideum, A. texanum, and A. tigrinum) from Arkansas was examined using scanning electron microscopy. We found no sexual dimorphism in cell surface ultrastructure. Variation within and between species was considerable. The most active burrower, A. tigrinum, possessed the most disorganized cell surface, whereas the least active burrowers (A.annulatum, A.maculatum, and A. opacum) had morphologically similar and relatively smooth toe tips. In A. talpoideum and A. texanum, cell surfaces exhibited microprojections. Only these two species possessed mucous pores in close proximity to the friction surface. The microstructure of cell surfaces transcended species groups in Ambystoma and would not represent a reliable taxonomic tool

Status of Three Plethodontid Salamanders (Genus Plethodon) From the Ouachita National Forest of Southwest Arkansas

A three-year field investigation was initiated in 1996 to update previous information on the local abundance and distribution of three salamanders of the genus Plethodon (P. caddoensis, P.fourchensis, and P. ouachitae); these salamanders are found within a five-county area of the Ouachita National Forest in southwestern Arkansas. Plethodon fourchensis was most numerous at three sites in Polk County; a total of 18 specimens was found. Searching for Plethodon fourchensis was successful following moderate-to-heavy precipitation but only in selected habitats on Fourche and Irons Forks mountains. The preferred habitats of P. caddoensis were talus-covered slopes and wet ravines consisting of mostly small loose rocks within the Caddo Mountains. This species was found at 17 of 25 collection sites (n =108); the largest single collection (n =52) occurred on 19 April 1998. Rocky habitats with an abundance of leaf litter on Rich Mountain yielded Plethodon ouachitae in modest numbers (n =45); three new locality sites were found during this study. Although new localities were discovered for each species during this study, none occurred outside its currently recognized range. Current forest management/landscape practices should strive to prevent any precipitous declines in populations of these salamanders

Case of Frugivory in a Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea) from Northeastern Arkansas

An adult green treefrog (Hyla cinerea) was collected in mid-September 2014 from Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas. Contents included the remains of a beetle and two fruits. The contents were photographed, measured, and identified to the lowest achievable taxonomic level. The beetle was identified as a spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpuncta howardi Barber [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae]). The fruits were identified as Persicaria sp. (likely P.punctata (Elliot) Small; Polygonaceae) and Oryza sativa L. (Poaceae). Fruits in the stomachs of frogs are rarely reported in the literature, but could represent possible mechanisms for seed dispersal in plants. It is unknown if frogs select to sometimes eat fruits or if fruits are a by-product of animal prey capture or missed predation attempts. In any case, the goal of this report is to raise awareness of a poorly documented phenomenon in an effort to direct attention to this possible method of seed dispersal

Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) Use of Wildlife Ponds in Northcentral Arkansas

Forty-one wildlife ponds were monitored between 1988 and 1992 for breeding use by wood frogs (Rana sylvatica). Data were collected on egg deposition and pond characteristics. Breeding activity and characteristics were similar to that reported in other portions of the range of the wood frog. We also monitored 15 newly-constructed ponds to determine chronological breeding patterns. Data collected for each site indicated a significant increase (P\u3c 0.05) in the number of egg masses deposited in ponds as they age from 1-3 years during our study period. Increased chronological use of newly-constructed ponds may be due to localized population increase resulting from greater availability of breeding habita

Using geographic information system to address environmental justice concerns in transportation projects

Abstract only availableEnvironmental Justice concerns were brought up in the county of Cape Girardeau about impacts to the community. These impacts, caused by the construction of a new bridge (crossing the Mississippi River) and the associated relocation of Route 74 (to the bridge), need to be addressed by the Department of Transportation (since the law now states that the environmental justice concerns must be addressed for federally funded projects). This project was designed to demonstrate how to improve the transportation decisions that meet the needs of all people in the community (such as that of Cape Girardeau) by using GIS to facilitate the analyzing process for Environmental Justice in minority and low-income populations. Using data obtained from the Missouri Spatial Data Information Services and Cape Girardeau, Geographic Information Systems was used to create two different maps showing the per capita income and percent minority of that area in Cape Girardeau. This information showed that there were obvious environmental justice issues that needed to be examined

Population Sampling of Chelonians in an Urban Lake in Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas

We conducted a mark-recapture survey for aquatic turtles in Craighead Forest Lake in Jonesboro (Craighead County, Arkansas). From July 2, 2015 to October 14, 2015, we set six hoop nets, baited with fish parts, at specific shoreline locations around the lake. Traps were set twice a week and checked 12 hours after they were set. Carapace length, carapace width, plastron length, and plastron width were measured for each individual. Each turtle was identified to species and its sex was recorded. We also placed a notch in one or more of its marginal scutes to aid in future identification. Finally, a photo was taken of each individual’s carapace and plastron. A total of six species were captured with Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) being the most common. A single female Razor-backed Musk Turtle (Sternotherus carinatus) was found, which represented a new county record and the first documentation for this species above the 35°N parallel in Arkansas. The only recaptures were Red-eared Sliders. Using the Schnabel Index, we estimated there to be 171 Red-eared Sliders in Craighead Forest Lake. Our findings indicate a diverse chelonian community with a thriving Red-eared Slider population. Future studies should continue to examine the effect of urbanization on turtle population demographics

Status of the Ozark Hellbender, Cryptobranchus Bishopi (Urodela: Cryptobranchidae), in the Spring River, Fulton County, Arkansas

We conducted a tag and release study of the Ozark hellbender along a 26 km stretch of the Spring River from mid-July through mid-November, 1991, to determine current population levels. Salamanders were collected by hand with the aid of scuba diving equipment. Thirteen visits(36 dive hrs.) to10 selected access sites yielded 20 animals. Compared to previously published data of the early 1980\u27s which indicated large, striving populations of C. bishopi(in some cases, \u3e 300 individuals) in the Spring River, our study found perilously low numbers of salamanders. This drastic decline may be attributed to over collection of specimens for scientific or other purposes and habitat alteration related to recreational activities. Other contributing factors for this decline could be the inadventent killing of animals during human activity (seining, swimming, canoeing, and fishing), the elimination of riparian habitats leading to an increase in the silt burden, and water pollution associated with human occupation and development along the river