Postbreeding Movement and Habitat Use of the Plateau Brown Frog, Rana kukunoris, in a High-Elevation Wetland

摘要

We studied the movement patterns and habitat selection of 33 radio-tagged Plateau Brown Frogs (Rana kukunoris) in the Zoige Alpine Wetland in southeastern Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Our goals were to (1) understand postbreeding movement patterns of R. kukunoris; (2) describe microhabitat use, with special reference to use of small mammal burrows; (3) test for movement pattern and microhabitat use differences between sexes and between seasons; and (4) provide a preliminary description of overwintering sites. We found no differences in movement patterns between sexes in R. kukunoris, however, directional movement trends differed between habitats. Male and female R. kukunoris showed similar microhabitat selection with regard to air temperature, relative humidity, and vegetation height. Although males used mammal burrows more frequently than females at one study site, BaiHua, both sexes used these microhabitats frequently during their movements. Overwintering sites of R. kukunoris were characterized by year-round flowing water. Results from this study will assist in making decisions about conservation and land protection for this species.