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Vernal Pools — and what makes them special - a program of Downeast Audubon
Vernal Pools — and what makes them special - a program of Downeast Audubon
Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 7:00 PM at Ellsworth Unitarian Universalist Church
Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 7:00 PM at Ellsworth Unitarian Universalist Church
Join amphibian biologist Kris Hoffmann, PhD (she gave the great talk on frogs and turtles last summer) for an entertaining night of wetland ecology. Kris will explain what vernal pools are and the vital role they play in the forest ecosystem by serving as essential breeding habitat for certain animals. We’ll learn about the frogs, salamanders and shrimp (yes, shrimp) that rely on vernal pools, and we’ll even keep our feet dry!
Join amphibian biologist Kris Hoffmann, PhD (she gave the great talk on frogs and turtles last summer) for an entertaining night of wetland ecology. Kris will explain what vernal pools are and the vital role they play in the forest ecosystem by serving as essential breeding habitat for certain animals. We’ll learn about the frogs, salamanders and shrimp (yes, shrimp) that rely on vernal pools, and we’ll even keep our feet dry!
This website provides current information for understanding the vital connections between landowner concerns, municipal planning, conservation activities, and the ecology of vernal pools. Natural and social scientists from the University of Maine, Clark University, and Bowdoin College have embarked on a multi-year research project concerning Maine’s small natural features—vernal pools.
This website provides current information for understanding the vital connections between landowner concerns, municipal planning, conservation activities, and the ecology of vernal pools. Natural and social scientists from the University of Maine, Clark University, and Bowdoin College have embarked on a multi-year research project concerning Maine’s small natural features—vernal pools.
Notes from the talk
Notes from the talk
Some ecosystems have a positive impact on the landscape inordinate to their size or distribution. These are keystone ecosystems. Keystone ecosystems sustain natural ecosystem process and scarce resources. They are the parts of the landscape that have high diversity, distinctive species compositions, and/or distinctive ecological processes that are beneficial to many other species and/or ecosystems . Keystone ecosystems include vernal pools.
Some ecosystems have a positive impact on the landscape inordinate to their size or distribution. These are keystone ecosystems. Keystone ecosystems sustain natural ecosystem process and scarce resources. They are the parts of the landscape that have high diversity, distinctive species compositions, and/or distinctive ecological processes that are beneficial to many other species and/or ecosystems . Keystone ecosystems include vernal pools.
Vernal pools are small and dry up at least once every 10 years. They can be groundwater fed or only have precipitation as the water source. But the water must disappear periodically. They are “wicked big puddles in a swamp,” usually deficient in light. Leaf litter is the base of the food chain consisting of microbes, algae and tadpoles.There is usually a closed canopy over the “puddle.”
Vernal pools are small and dry up at least once every 10 years. They can be groundwater fed or only have precipitation as the water source. But the water must disappear periodically. They are “wicked big puddles in a swamp,” usually deficient in light. Leaf litter is the base of the food chain consisting of microbes, algae and tadpoles.There is usually a closed canopy over the “puddle.”
Blue-spotted salamanders are found in a floodplain pool which usually has an open canopy but still dries up periodically.
Blue-spotted salamanders are found in a floodplain pool which usually has an open canopy but still dries up periodically.
Four-toed salamanders live in sphagnum moss and are often found in cedar swamps and pit and mound habitats, These are small, persistent features that present themselves after a wind disturbance event that uproots trees. The uprooted tree falls, and a pit forms in the forest floor where the root mass and associated soil matrix used to be. Eventually after a period of time in which the roots decay, the associated soil matrix that was pulled out of the ground with the roots falls back to the ground, creating a corresponding mound.
Four-toed salamanders live in sphagnum moss and are often found in cedar swamps and pit and mound habitats, These are small, persistent features that present themselves after a wind disturbance event that uproots trees. The uprooted tree falls, and a pit forms in the forest floor where the root mass and associated soil matrix used to be. Eventually after a period of time in which the roots decay, the associated soil matrix that was pulled out of the ground with the roots falls back to the ground, creating a corresponding mound.
Vernal pools dry up so fish are not present. Five species of import breed in the vernal pool wetland. Wood frog, Spotted salamander, Blue spotted salamander, Unisexual salamander and Fairy shrimp.
Vernal pools dry up so fish are not present. Five species of import breed in the vernal pool wetland. Wood frog, Spotted salamander, Blue spotted salamander, Unisexual salamander and Fairy shrimp.
Fairy shrimp C. Branchiopoda O. Anostracaare are about 1’ long and are filter feeders of algae and decaying organic matter that swim upside down. The eggs hatch early in the pool and the shrimp can be found swimming under ice. The eggs must dry up and then develop once the water returns. They are ephemeral, developing rapidly when no predators are present.
Fairy shrimp C. Branchiopoda O. Anostracaare are about 1’ long and are filter feeders of algae and decaying organic matter that swim upside down. The eggs hatch early in the pool and the shrimp can be found swimming under ice. The eggs must dry up and then develop once the water returns. They are ephemeral, developing rapidly when no predators are present.
Big Night occurs during the first warm rain in the spring when the temperature is at least 40 degrees. Earthworms are appearing on the surface of the ground. The smell of the microbes in the mud is in the air. Mass migration to the vernal pool takes place from 8pm to 10pm.
Big Night occurs during the first warm rain in the spring when the temperature is at least 40 degrees. Earthworms are appearing on the surface of the ground. The smell of the microbes in the mud is in the air. Mass migration to the vernal pool takes place from 8pm to 10pm.
Wood frogs (white smile and black mask) take 2 days to 2 weeks to complete breeding. The male develops a swollen nuptial pad for dorsal amplexus and external fertilization occurs. A softball sized mass that contains 1700 eggs is deposited by each female in large communal masses.. The eggs hatch in about 20 days and metamorphosis occurs 67 days later. The froglets and tadpoles are packages of phosphorus and nitrogen and are eaten by ducks, raccoons, bears, caddisflies, dragon flies, birds, snakes, etc. Adult frogs travel to a forested wetland to live. They hibernate in leaf litter about 2” down where they freeze solid during the winter, The male returns to breed after 2 years. The female takes 3 years. Only 10% manage to return to breed.
Wood frogs (white smile and black mask) take 2 days to 2 weeks to complete breeding. The male develops a swollen nuptial pad for dorsal amplexus and external fertilization occurs. A softball sized mass that contains 1700 eggs is deposited by each female in large communal masses.. The eggs hatch in about 20 days and metamorphosis occurs 67 days later. The froglets and tadpoles are packages of phosphorus and nitrogen and are eaten by ducks, raccoons, bears, caddisflies, dragon flies, birds, snakes, etc. Adult frogs travel to a forested wetland to live. They hibernate in leaf litter about 2” down where they freeze solid during the winter, The male returns to breed after 2 years. The female takes 3 years. Only 10% manage to return to breed.
The spotted salamander also travels on Big Night. There is a congress of salamanders as they engage in nuptial dance. The male deposits white, gelatinous spermatophores over the bottom of the pool that look like small white volcanoes, The female picks up 6 or 7 of them with her cloaca and after several days of internal fertilization, she lays her eggs attached to a stick about 6’ under water. Each mass contains 100-200 eggs. One female usually lays 2-3 egg masses. After 2 weeks of mating the adults return to the woods and live in burrows created by others. The eggs hatch in 1-2 months. The larvae develop into metamorphs and mature in 70-100 days. They reach sexual maturity the next spring and can live 15-20 years.
The spotted salamander also travels on Big Night. There is a congress of salamanders as they engage in nuptial dance. The male deposits white, gelatinous spermatophores over the bottom of the pool that look like small white volcanoes, The female picks up 6 or 7 of them with her cloaca and after several days of internal fertilization, she lays her eggs attached to a stick about 6’ under water. Each mass contains 100-200 eggs. One female usually lays 2-3 egg masses. After 2 weeks of mating the adults return to the woods and live in burrows created by others. The eggs hatch in 1-2 months. The larvae develop into metamorphs and mature in 70-100 days. They reach sexual maturity the next spring and can live 15-20 years.
The blue-spotted salamander also travels on Big Night as does the unisexual salamander. The unisexual is almost an entirely female population so must mate with other taxa. They also produce clones. Their genome can be polyploid and DNA from multiple species can be present. Their translucent eggs are not cohesive but are joined by a drippy goo and are not well fertilized.
The blue-spotted salamander also travels on Big Night as does the unisexual salamander. The unisexual is almost an entirely female population so must mate with other taxa. They also produce clones. Their genome can be polyploid and DNA from multiple species can be present. Their translucent eggs are not cohesive but are joined by a drippy goo and are not well fertilized.
Other facultative vernal pool species:
Other facultative vernal pool species:
Fingernail clams P. Mollusca C. Bivalvia are filter feeders that rely on detritus and leaf litter broken down by other organisms. There are many species and all are hermaphroditic. The young are brooded on the inner gill of the parent. They have a muscular ambulatory foot and a pair of tubular siphons. They are less than 0.5”.
Fingernail clams P. Mollusca C. Bivalvia are filter feeders that rely on detritus and leaf litter broken down by other organisms. There are many species and all are hermaphroditic. The young are brooded on the inner gill of the parent. They have a muscular ambulatory foot and a pair of tubular siphons. They are less than 0.5”.
Dragonfly larvae. O. Odonata They are predators in the pool and have a bottom lip that can be ejected to catch prey. They move quickly by sucking in water and ejecting it.
Dragonfly larvae. O. Odonata They are predators in the pool and have a bottom lip that can be ejected to catch prey. They move quickly by sucking in water and ejecting it.
Damselfly larvae O. Odonata Larvae look much like the adult, but wings are present only as wing pads. and there are 3 large, feather-shaped gills at the end of the abdomen.
Damselfly larvae O. Odonata Larvae look much like the adult, but wings are present only as wing pads. and there are 3 large, feather-shaped gills at the end of the abdomen.
Predaceous Diving Beetle larvae O. Coleoptera F. Dytiscidae They are voracious visual predators and attack anything that moves.Tadpoles can become one of their many victims. Adult beetles move both hind legs in unison when swimming.
Predaceous Diving Beetle larvae O. Coleoptera F. Dytiscidae They are voracious visual predators and attack anything that moves.Tadpoles can become one of their many victims. Adult beetles move both hind legs in unison when swimming.
Caddisfly larvae O. Trichoptera They construct protective cases from vegetation and other materials found in the water. The larva of log-cabin caddisflies (Limnephilidae) use stems and woody material to make cases. The cigar-tube caddisflies (Phryganeidae) construct cases of leaf material. Cases of caddisflies can be found on the bed of dry vernal pools. These can be used to prove the dry wetland is a vernal pool. The larvae eat plant material and are important to the vernal pool because they shred large leaves into smaller pieces usable by other organisms.
Caddisfly larvae O. Trichoptera They construct protective cases from vegetation and other materials found in the water. The larva of log-cabin caddisflies (Limnephilidae) use stems and woody material to make cases. The cigar-tube caddisflies (Phryganeidae) construct cases of leaf material. Cases of caddisflies can be found on the bed of dry vernal pools. These can be used to prove the dry wetland is a vernal pool. The larvae eat plant material and are important to the vernal pool because they shred large leaves into smaller pieces usable by other organisms.
Mosquito larva O. Diptera F. Culicidae Larval mosquitoes are called wrigglers because of the gyrations they make. They hang head down at the water surface with the breathing syphon in their butt poking into the ar, Pupae are called tumblers because they somersault through the water, Adult males feed on plant juices. Females feed mostly on nonhuman blood.
Mosquito larva O. Diptera F. Culicidae Larval mosquitoes are called wrigglers because of the gyrations they make. They hang head down at the water surface with the breathing syphon in their butt poking into the ar, Pupae are called tumblers because they somersault through the water, Adult males feed on plant juices. Females feed mostly on nonhuman blood.
Kris Hoffman’s Research: Breeding ecology and habitat selection of the blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale ) and its unisexual kleptogen 1. Compare the breeding site selection of bluespotted salamanders to that of unisexual salamanders. 2. Explore terrestrial habitat use by unisexual salamanders. 3. Examine the breeding success, abundance, sex ratio, and orientation of each lineage at 4 vernal pools. 4. Investigate statistical methods used to assess directionality at amphibian drift fence arrays using both field data and simulations. The blue-spotted salamander complex in Maine consists of the blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale) and a unisexual lineage containing both the DNA of the blue-spotted and Jefferson salamander (A. jeffersonianum). The unisexuals are almost entirely polyploid females, and parasitize sperm from the bluespotted salamanders to reproduce (kelptogens). We are examining the breeding site selection, reproductive variation, and upland habitat use of this complex. Breeding site selection: We trapped salamanders, collected tissue samples, and recorded environmental data at wetlands in the Greater Bangor Area. We modeled factors that influenced the breeding site selection of each lineage, and are currently preparing our manuscript for submission. Habitat use: We implanted breeding salamanders with radio transmitters and followed them as they emigrate from the pool to summer activity areas. We are currently modeling their terrestrial habitat use. Breeding success: Using drift fences at four vernal pools, we captured adult and juvenile salamanders. We explored their population dynamics (including sex, genetic ratios, size) and are preparing our manuscript
Kris Hoffman’s Research: Breeding ecology and habitat selection of the blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale ) and its unisexual kleptogen 1. Compare the breeding site selection of bluespotted salamanders to that of unisexual salamanders. 2. Explore terrestrial habitat use by unisexual salamanders. 3. Examine the breeding success, abundance, sex ratio, and orientation of each lineage at 4 vernal pools. 4. Investigate statistical methods used to assess directionality at amphibian drift fence arrays using both field data and simulations. The blue-spotted salamander complex in Maine consists of the blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale) and a unisexual lineage containing both the DNA of the blue-spotted and Jefferson salamander (A. jeffersonianum). The unisexuals are almost entirely polyploid females, and parasitize sperm from the bluespotted salamanders to reproduce (kelptogens). We are examining the breeding site selection, reproductive variation, and upland habitat use of this complex. Breeding site selection: We trapped salamanders, collected tissue samples, and recorded environmental data at wetlands in the Greater Bangor Area. We modeled factors that influenced the breeding site selection of each lineage, and are currently preparing our manuscript for submission. Habitat use: We implanted breeding salamanders with radio transmitters and followed them as they emigrate from the pool to summer activity areas. We are currently modeling their terrestrial habitat use. Breeding success: Using drift fences at four vernal pools, we captured adult and juvenile salamanders. We explored their population dynamics (including sex, genetic ratios, size) and are preparing our manuscript
Page 42 MAINE COOPERATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT
Page 42 MAINE COOPERATIVE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT
OCTOBER 1, 2015 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
OCTOBER 1, 2015 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
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