DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.14192504
title: Data: Experimental confirmation of effects of leaf litter type and light on tadpole performance for two priority amphibians

description: Data files used for analysis of leaf litter elemental content (Carbon:Nitrogen), light (Lux), pH, temperature, gross primary productivity (diel oxygen method derived), tadpole larval period, tadpole mass, tadpole survival, and tadpole growth. This data is from a factorial aquatic mesocosm study to test the effects of altered detritus and shade on the growth, development, and survival of tadpoles of two priority amphibian species: Gopher frogs (<i>Rana capito</i>) and Ornate chorus frogs (<i>Pseudacris ornata</i>).<br>Abstract: Isolated wetlands embedded within longleaf pine savannahs support a high proportion of regional biodiversity including many amphibian species. Today, remnant isolated wetlands are often overgrown and hydrologically altered due to fire exclusion or incompatible, cool season fire regimes. In the absence of warm season fires when wetlands are dry, shrubs and trees succeed herbaceous plants, which alters wetland productivity via effects on light and detritus quality. We used a factorial aquatic mesocosm study to test the effects of altered detritus and shade on the growth, development, and survival of tadpoles of two priority amphibian species: Gopher frogs (<i>Rana capito</i>) and Ornate chorus frogs (<i>Pseudacris ornata</i>). Gopher frog survival was higher among maidencane, sedge, and pine treatments compared to oak and sweetgum treatments. While Gopher frog larval periods were lowest in the sedge treatment, there was a nominal general effect of litter type on Gopher frog larval periods, growth rates, and mass at metamorphosis. Shading had a nominal and inconsistent effect on Gopher frog growth rates, but did extend larval periods in all litter treatments, decreased survival in all litter treatments except oak, and decreased mass at metamorphosis in all litter treatments except pine and sweetgum. Ornate chorus frog survival was minimally affected by shading and litter treatments, but growth rates and mass at metamorphosis were highest in maidencane and sedge treatments and larval periods were extended with shading in all litter treatments. Shading also decreased growth rates in maidencane and sedge litters and decreased mass at metamorphosis in pine and sweetgum litters. Our results demonstrate that succession of isolated wetlands can reduce tadpole performance for two priority species both through changes in leaf litter and shading, though the effect on survival, larval growth, larval period, and size at metamorphosis can differ between species. These results support management recommendations to restore and maintain open canopy, grassy conditions in isolated wetlands for conservation of priority amphibian species.<br>All methods were approved by the University of Georgia Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (AUP# A2018 02-019-Y1-A0). The collection of animals for use in this research was permitted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources under GA DNR Permit 1000602439 and by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources under SC DNR Permit SC-42-2018. This research was supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. 049347-06, a grant from the Society of Wetland Scientists South Atlantic Chapter, an Innovation and Interdisciplinary Research Grant from the University of Georgia Graduate School, a P. E. O. Scholar Award, and an Ernest Provost Wildlife Fellowship awarded to A. Burrow, and a GA DNR State Wildlife Grant awarded to J. Maerz. <br>