Eastern Spadefoots (Scaphiopus holbrookii) and Other Herpetofauna Inhabiting an Industrial Fly-Ash Disposal Site in Southern Ohio

Abstract

Abstract: Eastern Spadefoots (Scaphiopus holbrookii) were once common in southern Ohio but are now rare, with most populations threatened by habitat loss. In 2010, we observed an Eastern Spadefoot breeding migration out of a raised fly-ash disposal site to a small depressional wetland in South Point (Lawrence County), Ohio. We used a series of drift fences and pitfalls to confirm adult and juvenile spadefoot occupancy at the fly-ash site as well as document the presence of nine additional species of herpetofauna.This is the first documentation of Eastern Spadefoots inhabiting a fly-ash disposal site in Ohio. We suggest further investigations to assess long-term population persistence and to address toxicological concerns