Aquatic parameters and life history observations of the Great Basin spadefoot toad in Utah

Abstract

The distrihution and lireeding hahitats of the Great Basin spadefoot toad {Scaphiopu.s intermontanus) were investigated in the Bonneville Basin of western Utah. The permanent springs and man-made reservoirs used for breeding were largely found below the 16()0 m elevation. The pH's ranged between 7.2 and 10.4 and the total dis-.solved solids between 170 and 4800 mg/i. The springs were less alkaline than the rain-filled reservoirs. The lack of aquatic vegetation was a common feature of the reservoirs and most of the springs. Observations of breeding without rain are noted as well as the lack of breeding with rain. The snout-vent lengths of adult spadefoots are greater in the Bonneville Basin than in other parts of the Great Basin. Utilization of permanent water sources and stimuli for emergence and breeding, as well as the larger adult size of S. intermontanus in the Bonneville Basin, are discussed in relation to the diverse precipitation patterns, the sparseness of the water sources, and the Holocene history of the Great Basin.Hovingh, P, Benton, Bob., and Bornholdt, Dave. 1985. "Aquatic parameters and life history observations of the Great Basin spadefoot toad in Utah." The Great Basin naturalist 45, 22-30.

Morphology of the prometamorphic larva of the spadefoot toad, Scaphiopus intermontanus (Anura: Pelobatidae), with an emphasis on the lateral line system and mouthparts

“…Larval spadefoot toads usually are associated with ephemeral and shallow pools of water, though Scaphiopus intermontanus also can be found in somewhat deeper, more permanent ponds and slowmoving streams (Linsdale, 1938: 20 -22;Blair, 1956;Bragg, 1961Bragg, , 1965Nussbaum et al, 1983;Hovingh et al, 1985;Stebbins, 1985;Hall et al, 1997;Hall, 1998). In these types of habitat, though the larvae can be found foraging at the surface or along suspended vegetation (Linsdale, 1938: 20 -22;Bragg, 1965;J.A.…”