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AUTHORS: Jana Green, Northeastern State University; Justin Currie, Northeastern State University; Ryan Farney, Northeastern State University; Michael J. Shaughnessy Jr., Northeastern State University
ABSTRACT: We sampled riverine ecosystems in Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge during July, August and September 2016. Three islands and one mainland site were sampled using Y-shaped pitfall arrays consisting of 10 pitfalls connected by drift fences. Small mammals, reptiles and amphibians were collected in pitfall traps. Additionally, walking surveys were conducted for larger reptiles and amphibians that could potentially avoid getting caught in the pitfall traps. We captured or detected four species of amphibians in three families Microhylidae, Ranidae and Hylidae. Only one species of lizard has been observed on islands, Sceloporus undulatus. Two species of semiaquatic snakes have been observed, Nerodia and Agkistrodon and four species of turtles in two families; Kinosternidae and Emydidae. Few mammals have been captured in all habitats to date. Island habitats have produced only insectivores, while the mainland site has produced both rodents and insectivores. Our preliminary data suggest that the role of islands as habitats for terrestrial vertebrates in freshwater riverine systems may vary. Additional field work scheduled for 2017 is expected to better highlight the varying dispersal abilities of small mammals, reptiles and amphibians to riverine islands as well as clarify their functional role for different vertebrate groups in their surrounding ecosystem.
