Other Animal Sciences Commons^™

The Intestinal Platyhelminths Of Southwestern And Central West Virginia Amphibia And Relationships Between The Degree Of Infestation And Habitat Of Amphibians And Sex Of Host, Stanley B. Mills

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In April and May, 1977, 397 (14 species) amphibians were collected from southwestern and central West Virginia and examined for parasites. Five species of trematodes and two species of cestodes were found from 93 hosts. The total of 397 amphibians was subdivided, for convenience, into six categories of amphibians; aquatic male and female, terrestro-aquatic male and female, and terrestrial male and female. Nine of 24 (37.5%). female aquatic amphibians was the highest incidence found, while terrestro-aquatic females contained the highest mean number (6.0) worms per incidence, and parasite loads of host. Hosts, each platyhelminth specimen are given.

Meteorological Factors Controlling The Emergence Of The Eastern Spadefoot Toad, Scaphiopus Holbrooki Holbrookii Harlan, Larry Judy

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

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 …