Return to Conservation Biology Research on Reptiles
Moriarty, J.J. 1985. A survey of the amphibians and reptiles in the southeastern Minnesota. Final report submitted to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 19 pp.
Overview:
The southeast corner of Minnesota has the highest diversity of herpetofauna in the state. Forty of the 47 species of amphibians and reptiles that occur in the state are indigenous to the southeast corner. Sixteen of the 17 species listed as endangered, threatened, or special concern in Minnesota are found in this region (Lang et al. 1982). High diversity makes this region a high priority for herpetofauna research.
There have been a number of studies on specific species or sites within the region. Nehl (1982) studied the populations of cricket frogs (Acris crepitans) and pickerel frogs (Rana palustris). Softshell turtles (Trionyx sp.) have been studied by several researchers (Cochran 1977, James 1966). Minnesota's two threatened turtles, the wood (Clemmys insculpta) and Blanding's (Emydoidea blandingi), have been intensively studied (Ewert 1984, Pappas 1982). An intensive survey of The Nature Conservancy's Weaver Dunes is currently being conducted.
There have not been any studies to access the general distribution of amphibians and reptiles throughout the region. This study was set up to provide that information, especially for species listed as endangered, threatened, or special concern by the Minnesota DNR.
-This report is currently unavailable for download-