Date of Award
1969
Degree Name
Biology
College
College of Science
Type of Degree
M.S.
Document Type
Thesis
First Advisor
N. Bayard Green
Second Advisor
John R. Warren
Abstract
Scaphiopus holbrooki holbrookii, the Eastern Spadefoot, can exist in an area for many years before it is detected. Its apparent scarcity can be explained by its secretive, fossorial habitat, protective coloration, and nocturnal behavior. Spadefoots are present at the surface locally in small numbers on any one night. They emerge only when conditions are optimum. One authority has suggested that temperature, moisture, and barometric pressure exert control over emergence.
It was the purpose of this research to discover the most important meterorological parameters and investigate how they control the behavior of Scaphiopus.
Initially the response, emergence to breed was distinguished from emergence to feed. Breeding is controlled by temperature and initiated by rainfall. Because of the close relation of the two emergence responses it is hereby hypothesized that moisture and temperature exert an active control over emergence to feed.
Subject(s)
Meteorology, Agricultural – United States.
Eastern spadefoot.
Recommended Citation
Judy, Larry, "Meteorological factors controlling the emergence of the eastern spadefoot toad, scaphiopus holbrooki holbrookii harlan" (1969). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 1523.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/1523
