Data: Experimental confirmation of effects of leaf litter type and light on tadpole performance for two priority amphibians

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 (Rana capito) and Ornate chorus frogs (Pseudacris ornata).
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 (Rana
capito) and Ornate chorus frogs (Pseudacris
ornata). 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.

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.