Embryo mortality relative to the abundance category of the water mold, Saprolegnia diclina, and an unidentified predatory flatworm (Turbellaria spp.) for egg masses of Anaxyrus canorus at various breeding sites near Tioga Pass, California, USA, in 2001
Dates
Publication Date
2020-12-15
Start Date
2001-05-01
End Date
2001-05-31
Citation
Sadinski, W., 2020, Embryo mortality relative to the abundance category of the water mold, Saprolegnia diclina, and an unidentified predatory flatworm (Turbellaria spp.) for egg masses of Anaxyrus canorus at various breeding sites near Tioga Pass, California, USA, in 2001: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9BVZDOP.
Summary
We produced this data set as part of a larger, integrated study to assess the statuses of populations of Anaxyrus canorus and the causes of observed effects on fitness at field sites, primarily in Yosemite National Park near Tioga Pass, from 1996 to 2001. To assess embryo mortality, we visually evaluated each individual embryo in an egg mass in situ while kneeling alongside it immediately before, at, or very soon after hatching (when individual capsules remained from hatched embryos and when any remnants of dead embryos typically still were visible). We did not assess mortality in any egg masses that had deteriorated too far to evaluate embryos. In 2001, a limited number of field personnel caused us to estimate the proportion dead [...]
Summary
We produced this data set as part of a larger, integrated study to assess the statuses of populations of Anaxyrus canorus and the causes of observed effects on fitness at field sites, primarily in Yosemite National Park near Tioga Pass, from 1996 to 2001. To assess embryo mortality, we visually evaluated each individual embryo in an egg mass in situ while kneeling alongside it immediately before, at, or very soon after hatching (when individual capsules remained from hatched embryos and when any remnants of dead embryos typically still were visible). We did not assess mortality in any egg masses that had deteriorated too far to evaluate embryos. In 2001, a limited number of field personnel caused us to estimate the proportion dead in most egg masses instead of examining each embryo individually. We did so by visually dividing each egg mass into standard-sized groups of embryos and closely estimating the number alive and the number dead. The same person conducted all assessments of hatching success for all egg masses across sites in 2001. While visually examining individual egg masses and estimating embryo mortality, we also estimated the extent to Saprolegnia diclina (a pathogenic water mold [Oomycetes]) and a still unknown species of predatory flatworm (Turbellaria spp.) were present and feeding on embryos in each egg mass. We qualitatively categorized presence/abundance as none observed, low to moderate (present on or within 0 to 50% of the egg mass), or high (present on or within > 50% of the egg mass).
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Embryo mortality relative to abundance of water mold and unidentified predatory flatworm.xml Original FGDC Metadata
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Embryo mortality_mold_worms_2001.csv
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Purpose
We used these data to help us evaluate the effects of potential exposure to freezing, Saprolegnia diclina, and a predatory flatworm (Turbellaria spp.) on embryos of A. canorus in our study area. Other researchers could use them to address various ecological questions related to fitness, reproduction success, recruitment, and natural history, among other topics for A. canorus in our study area or elsewhere.
