Cuban Treefrog Refuge Use Research
Do Cuban Treefrogs Prefer PVC Pipes?
We conducted behavioral trials in a lab, and found that Cuban Treefrogs preferred more natural refuges (i.e., plants) over PVC pipe refuges. In contrast, native Squirrel Treefrogs preferred the shelter of PVC refuges. Field data on the number of times each species was recaptured in a PVC pipe supported these differences--Cuban Treefrogs were much less likely to be recaptured in a pipe. However, Cuban Treefrogs are regularly captured in PVC pipes. This suggests that high numbers of Cuban Treefrogs captured in PVC pipes may indicate a much larger infestation.
- Hoffmann, K.E., Johnson, S.A., and M.E. McGarrity. 2009. Interspecific Variation in Use of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pipe Refuges by Hylid Treefrogs: A Potential Source of Capture Bias. (762KB pdf) Herpetological Review 40:423-426.
Do Cuban Treefrogs Exclude Other Treefrogs from PVC Pipes?
More information coming soon.....
