Influence of substrate types and morphological traits on movement behavior in a toad and newt species

PeerJ

article

Audrey Trochet¹  Hugo Le Chevalier¹  Olivier Calvez²  Alexandre Ribéron¹  Romain Bertrand²  Simon Blanchet¹ 

[1] Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, Université Paul Sabatier;Station d’Ecologie Théorioque et Expérimentale;Center for Biodiversity Theory and Modelling

关键词: Matrix permeability;    Inter-patch movements;    Fragmented landscapes;    Roads;    Common toads;    Bufonidae;    Marbled newts;    Connectivity;    Salamandridae;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.6053

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Background Inter-patch movements may lead to genetic mixing, decreasing both inbreeding and population extinction risks, and is hence a crucial aspect of amphibian meta-population dynamics. Traveling through heterogeneous landscapes might be particularly risky for amphibians. Understanding how these species perceive their environment and how they move in heterogeneous habitats is an essential step in explaining metapopulation dynamics and can be important for predicting species’ responses to climate change and for conservation policy and management. Methods Using an experimental approach, the present study focused on the movement behavior (crossing speed and number of stops) on different substrates mimicking landscape components (human-made and natural substrates) in two amphibian species contrasting in locomotion mode: the common toad (Bufo bufo), a hopping and burrowing anuran and the marbled newt (Triturus marmoratus), a walking salamander. We tested the hypothesis that species reaction to substrate is dependent on specific ecological requirements or locomotion modes because of morphological and behavioral differences. Results In both species, substrate type influenced individual crossing speed, with individuals moving faster on soil than on concrete substrate. We also demonstrated that long-legged individuals moved faster than individuals with short legs. In both species, the number of stops was higher in females than in males. In common toads, the number of stops did not vary between substrates tested, whereas in marbled newts the number of stops was higher on concrete than on soil substrate. Discussion We highlighted that concrete substrate (mimicking roads) negatively affect the crossing speed of both studied species, with an effect potentially higher in marbled newts. Our findings corroborate negative effects of such heterogeneous landscapes on movement behavior of two amphibian species, which may have implications for the dynamics of metapopulations.

【 授权许可】

CC BY