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AUTHORS: Darrin M. Welchert, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge; Mark S. Mills, Missouri Western State University; Jordan J. Meyer, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
ABSTRACT: Often in ecological studies one sampling technique is not sufficient enough to collect a broad spectrum of data even on a single class of organisms. Sampling basis is not unique to amphibian and reptile studies. For this study from 2009 – 2014 cover boards and drift fences were used to sample herptiles on three main habitat types including Loess Hills (forest and prairie), upland and bottomland prairie on Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (SCNWR) in Northwest Missouri. SCNWR is comprised of 2,994 ha including 2,711 ha of bottomland and 283 ha of Loess Hills. The objectives of this study was to document species richness and relative abundance of herptiles in different habitat types and to assess the effects of habitat management techniques including prescribed fire and woody plant control on amphibians and reptiles. Over 20 species were documented between the three different habitat types. Fossorial species such as prairie ringneck snakes (Diadophis punctatus) were more common under cover boards where more mobile species such as prairie racerunners (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus) were captured in drift fences. Species richness and relative abundance varied among techniques and habitat types.
