Project Director

Wilson, Thomas P.

Department Examiner

Aborn, David; Reynolds, Bradley

Department

Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

Amphibians are important for a wide variety of reasons. However, in recent years their global populations have seen a sharp decline. It is therefore increasingly important to conduct research relevant to their protection and success. The main way this is accomplished with anurans is through the monitoring of male vocalizations. This can take the form of Manual Call Surveys, Automated Recording Systems, or some hybridization of the two. However, selection of the proper research method can be complex and time-consuming, and use of the incorrect method can result in wasted funding and useless data. Very few studies have been recently published comparing the different methods in relation to anurans, and none of them have provided a user-friendly guide for selecting methods. This paper aims to both summarize the wide importance of amphibians and research related to them, as well as provide a simple guide and thought-process for selecting the proper anuran research method. This will be done via a dichotomous key-like guide leading to the method most appropriate for the study of interest.

Acknowledgments

I would first like to thank the Honors College at UTC for providing me with the avenue to conduct this project. I would also like to thank Dr. David Aborn and Dr. Bradley Reynolds for taking the time to serve on my committee and provide me with their valuable feedback. I also thank Nyssa Hunt for her support and advice. Lastly, I extend special thanks to my advisor Dr. Thomas Wilson for his continuous guidance and counsel throughout my collegiate career, and for his valuable critiques and timely responses throughout the writing of my thesis.

Degree

B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Date

5-2019

Subject

Amphibians -- Ecophysiology; Amphibian declines

Keyword

Amphibians; Anurans; Research methodologies; Acoustic monitoring; Dichotomous key

Discipline

Environmental Sciences

Document Type

Theses

Extent

38 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

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