Status: 

Completed

Title

Pattern morphology for frogs captured at 9 locations in northeastern Puerto Rico over a 25-year period from 1978 to 2002
Summary

DOI: 

10.6073/pasta/f640f4d72ff5ccad6daad329c8d38762

Short name: 

LUQMetadata150

Data set ID: 

150

Abstract: 

We recorded the pattern morph for 9,950 frogs captured at 9 locations in northeastern Puerto Rico over a 25-year period from 1978 - 2002. Data revealed 21 distinct pattern morphs including a variety of stripes, bars, and spots. Analysis of morph frequencies between plots showed significant heterogeneity, with longitudinal stripes more common in grassland and disturbed areas, and spot and bar morphs more common in forests where palm and bromeliad axils are important habitat features. Comparison of morph frequencies through time at the same sites showed temporal shifts immediately following Hurricane Hugo in 1989. We suggest that the pattern polymorphism is maintained in part by local habitat matching resulting from selection pressure from visual predators.

Dates
Date Range: 
1987-01-01 00:00:00 to 2002-08-02 00:00:00
People

Owner/Creator: 

Lawrence L. Woolbright

Contact: 

Lawrence L. Woolbright

Additional Project roles: 

Name: Eda Melendez-Colom Role: Data Manager
Name: Margaret Stewart (In Memorium) Role: Associated Researcher
Methodology

Methods: 

Plots of varying sizes were searched between 2000 to 2400 h. Adult coquies were captured by hand and examined to determine their dorsal pattern morphology.

Status: 

Completed

Time Period: 

Long-Term
Related

Related publications: 

Spatial and temporal variation in color pattern morphology in the tropical frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui

Related sites: 

Quebrada Sonadora Research Area Larry L. Woolbright's Plot near main trail from EVFS
Bisley research Area Larry L. Woolbright's Bisley Stream 2 channel plot
Bisley Research Area Larry L. Woolbright's Bisley Control plot
El Verde Research Area El Verde Research Area Margaret Steward Bridge plots (hose and control)
Quebrada Sonadora Margaret Steward's River plots (house plot and control plot)
El Verde Research Area Margaret Steward Tower 1 plots (house plot and control plot)
El Verde Research Area Margaret Steward's Tower 2 plots (house plot and control plot)
Rio Grande Area Margaret Steward's lowsite in pasture adjacent to Road 3
Rio Blanco Area Margaret Steward's highsite besides El Toro Trail off Road 191
Categories

Core Areas: 

Researcher's Keywords: 

LTER Keywords: 

Table 4 Long-Term Classification: 

2006 Proposal Classification: 

Program: 

EML is valid: 

Yes

EML Link: 

Download EML

Variables Descriptions Data File Date Rangesort ascending
Pattern morphology of frogs in Bisley Forest Control Plot File PatternMorphBisleyForestControlPlot.csv 1988-06-01 to 2002-08-01
Pattern morphology of frogs in the Bisley Stream 2 Plot File PatternMorphBisleyStream2Plot.csv 1988-06-01 to 2002-08-01
Pattern morphology of frogs in the Sonadora Plot File PatternMorphSonadoraPlot.csv 1987-01-01 to 2002-08-01
Pattern morphology of frogs in Margaret Stewart Plots File PatternsMorphMargaretStewartPlots.csv 1984-01-01 to 1984-01-31