USGS Occupancy Surveys for Dixie Valley Toads, Anaxyrus williamsi, in Churchill County, Nevada from April 2018 to May 2021
Dates
Publication Date
2022-08-19
Start Date
2018-04-01
End Date
2021-05-31
Citation
Rose, J.P., Kleeman, P.M., and Halstead, B.J., 2022, USGS occupancy surveys for Dixie Valley Toads, Anaxyrus williamsi, in Churchill County, Nevada from April 2018 to May 2021: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9QCIC87.
Summary
Desert spring wetlands host many endemic species that require aquatic habitat and are isolated by the surrounding xeric terrestrial habitat. The Dixie Valley Toad (Anaxyrus williamsi) is a recently described anuran species endemic to desert spring wetlands in the Dixie Valley, Churchill County, Nevada, USA. Given this species was only recently recognized as distinct from Anaxyrus boreas, little is known about its ecology and habitat requirements. These data represent the results of surveys for Dixie Valley Toads conducted from April 2018 to May 2021 in Churchill County, Nevada, USA and associated covariates from surveys and study sites. The potential wetland habitat for the Dixie Valley Toad was divided into 20 meter by 20 meter cells, [...]
Summary
Desert spring wetlands host many endemic species that require aquatic habitat and are isolated by the surrounding xeric terrestrial habitat. The Dixie Valley Toad (Anaxyrus williamsi) is a recently described anuran species endemic to desert spring wetlands in the Dixie Valley, Churchill County, Nevada, USA. Given this species was only recently recognized as distinct from Anaxyrus boreas, little is known about its ecology and habitat requirements. These data represent the results of surveys for Dixie Valley Toads conducted from April 2018 to May 2021 in Churchill County, Nevada, USA and associated covariates from surveys and study sites. The potential wetland habitat for the Dixie Valley Toad was divided into 20 meter by 20 meter cells, and 60 cells were selected for sampling using a Generalized Random Tessellation Stratified design. The data were collected following an occupancy study design, with repeated (secondary) surveys of each cell during each primary period (6 total periods). For each cell in each survey, the detection or nondetection of adult and larval Dixie Valley Toads was recorded. Adult Dixie Valley Toads were detected in 75 percent of cells during at least one survey, and larval Dixie Valley Toads were detected in 20 percent of cells during at least one survey. Data on water temperature, air temperature, percent of the cell with surface water, water depth, and emergent vegetation cover were also recorded during surveys.
These data support the following publication:
Rose, J., Kleeman, P. and Halstead, B., 2022. Hot, wet, and rare: modeling the occupancy dynamics of the narrowly distributed Dixie Valley Toad. Wildlife Research. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR22029.
Questions pertaining to the intended use of, or assistance with understanding limitations or interpretation of these data are to be directed to the individuals/organization listed in the Point of Contact section. Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Purpose
Data were collected to study the occupancy of Dixie Valley Toads (Anaxyrus williamsi) in desert spring habitat in Churchill County, Nevada, USA. These data are appropriate for fitting occupancy models to study the occurrence of Dixie Valley Toads and how occurrence and detection relates to measured covariates.
