SREL Reprint #3773

Development and validation of a scoring system for abnormalities in the Gopher Frog (Rana capito)

Kiersten N. Nelson1,2, Adam J. McFall1,2, E. Tucker Stonecypher1,2, Christian S. Swartzbaugh1,2,
Matthew C. Allender3, and Stacey L. Lance2

1Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 East Green Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
2Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, USA
3Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine,
2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA

Abstract: Headstarting efforts are thought to be critical in supplementing populations of the at-risk Gopher Frog (Rana capito); however, recent efforts have occasionally resulted in juveniles with developmental abnormalities. In response, we developed a scoring system to collect quantitative data on the presence and severity of these developmental abnormalities. Our objective was to describe and validate the abnormality scoring system so that it can be used by all Gopher Frog headstarting facilities. The scoring system covers five primary conditions encompassing commonly observed abnormalities. Two groups of participants with different levels of prior experience working with Gopher Frogs assigned scores to a set of images presented to them for each condition. We used intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) to test the scoring system for inter- and intra-rater agreement as well as agreement with the benchmark standard (established by the authors). We found high ICC values for inter-rater agreement, intra-rater agreement, and agreement to the benchmark standard indicating either excellent or good reliability for all five conditions and for all raters when grouped together. These findings support the reliability and validity of the proposed developmental abnormality scoring system. Gopher Frog headstarting facilities can implement this scoring system to assist in tracking the frequency and severity of abnormalities observed in future headstarting efforts. We hope that by creating a reliable scoring system for Gopher Frogs, it can provide an overall framework and serve as a valuable resource to evaluate abnormalities across any amphibian species.

Keywords: abnormality; amphibian; conservation; headstarting; inter- and intra-rater agreement; scoring system

SREL Reprint #3773

Nelson, K. N., A. J. McFall, E. T. Stonecypher, C. S. Swartzbaugh, M. C. Allender, and S. Lance. 2024. Development and validation of a scoring system for abnormalities in the Gopher Frog (Rana capito). Herpetological Conservation and Biology (19(1): 117-128.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).