The Neoichnology of Two Terrestrial Ambystomatid Salamanders: Quantifying Amphibian Burrows Using Modern Analogs

Dzenowski, Nicole D.; Hembree, Daniel I.

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-8721-5_13

Cited by 10 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The overall shape, however, is related to the tracemaker and can further aid in distinguishing a burrow produced by a salamander from a burrow produced by an anuran. Unlike the circular cross section of burrows produced by S. holbrookii, the elliptical cross-sectional of burrows produced by A. tigrinum is a reflection of the salamanders' elliptical body plan (Dzenowski and Hembree, 2014). Wellpreserved and distinct bioglyphs produced during burrow construction by A. tigrinum are different than bioglyphs produced by S. holbrookii during burrow construction as a result of different body morphologies.…”

Section: Burrow Morphology and Tracemakermentioning

confidence: 84%

“…Most bioglyphs produced by A. tigrinum are rounded to elongate protrusions, but some are bilobate or heart-shaped markings. Bioglyphs produced by A. tigrinum are similar to the relative shape and size of the limbs and head of the salamanders (Dzenowski and Hembree, 2014). Bioglyphs produced by S. holbrookii are similar to the shape and size of the limbs of the toads and appear as triangular protrusions.…”

Section: Burrow Morphology and Tracemakermentioning

confidence: 85%

“…The numerical value representing the degree of similarity ranges from 0.0 (most dissimilar) to 1.0 (identical). Burrows with a similarity value of 1.0 were considered identical whereas values between 0.9-0.8 were highly similar, 0.7-0.6 were moderately similar, and ≤ 0.5 were dissimilar (e.g., Hembree et al, 2012: Hembree, 2013Bowen and Hembree, 2014;Catena and Hembree, 2014;Dzenowski and Hembree, 2014;Hils and Hembree, 2015). These analyses were performed to determine if the toads produced consistent, repeatable burrow morphologies.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These analyses were performed to determine if the toads produced consistent, repeatable burrow morphologies. The Bray-Curtis test was then used to compare the toad burrow casts to the burrow casts of other animals obtained in previously conducted experiments including scorpions (Hembree, 2014), salamanders (Dzenowski and Hembree, 2014), and skinks (Catena and Hembree, 2014). These analyses were used to evaluate the relative uniqueness of toad burrow morphology.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The lengths, heights, widths, and width-to-height ratios of burrows produced by A. tigrinum are consistently greater than the dimensions of the salamanders and so the burrows size cannot be related to the size of the tracemaker accurately (Dzenowski and Hembree, 2014). The overall shape, however, is related to the tracemaker and can further aid in distinguishing a burrow produced by a salamander from a burrow produced by an anuran.…”

Section: Burrow Morphology and Tracemakermentioning

confidence: 96%

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Neoichnology of the eastern spadefoot toad, Scaphiopus holbrookii (Anura: Scaphiopodidae): criteria for recognizing anuran burrows in the fossil record

Johnson

Hembree

2015

Palaeontologia Electronica

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Anurans first appear in the Early Jurassic, and although terrestrial anurans are considered to be ancestral, their early record is less understood than that of aquatic forms. Many extant terrestrial anurans produce burrows to escape unfavorable environmental conditions. Fossil anuran burrows could, therefore, serve as proxies for the presence of anurans if their morphology was known. The eastern spadefoot toad, Scaphiopus holbrookii (Anura: Scaphiopodidae), belongs to one of four groups of burrowing terrestrial anurans. This study describes the burrowing behaviors of S. holbrookii as well as the qualitative and quantitative morphology of their burrows produced in laboratory experiments with varying sediment conditions. The toads used a hindlimb-first burrowing technique moving a minimal amount of sediment to the surface. Three distinct architectures were produced: isolated, ovoid chambers, vertical shafts with ovoid chambers, and subvertical shafts with ovoid chambers. The shapes and sizes of the burrow chambers were similar to the occupying toad. Impressions on the burrow walls were produced by the hindlimbs and feet of the toads. Qualitative burrow morphology was consistent between individuals and experiments. Quantitative properties of the toad burrows were compared statistically to each other and to burrows of scorpions, salamanders, and skinks. Spadefoot toad burrows were similar to each other and different from those of the other animals. The results of this study will aid in the identification of anuran burrows in the fossil record by providing an analog for comparison. Application of this data can improve the understanding of the evolution of terrestrial anurans, their behavior, and paleoenvironmental significance.

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Section: Burrow Morphology and Tracemakermentioning

confidence: 84%

Section: Burrow Morphology and Tracemakermentioning

confidence: 85%