BULLETIN FLORIDA MUSEUM NATURAL HISTORY 38(1)


Table 9. Trap mortality of Gastrophryne carolinensis at Breezeway Pond, 1986-1990.


Year Male Female Juvenile Unknown Total


1986 0/269 0/190 178/1715 22/584 200/2758
 7.25%
 1987 0/344 3/296 1/1 7/12 11/653
 1.68%
 1988 2/702 3/381 0/8 20/33 25/1224
 2.04%
 1989 4/341 1/301 20/275 25/917
 2.73%
 1990 2/79 1/102 0/1 5/6 8/188
 4.25%
Total 8/1735 8/1270 199/2000 54/635 269/5740
% 0.46 0.63 9.95 4.69




exiting. Thus, the size of the juveniles exiting the pond from the 1985 cohort
probably exceeded their size at metamorphosis. The smallest eastern narrow-
mouthed toad measured at Breezeway Pond was 11 mm SUL. If this size can be
taken as the minimum size at metamorphosis at Breezeway Pond, then the
juveniles that were captured in the spring of 1986 grew from 3-8 mm prior to
exiting the pond.


 Mortality


 Relatively few adult G. carolinensis died in bucket traps from 1986 through
1990 (Table 9). Most mortality occurred in the juvenile size class, particularly in
1986 as large numbers of juveniles left the pond basin. The chief cause of
mortality seemed to be from desiccation despite the presence of moist sponges in
the bucket. In the hot summer, particularly during periods of drought, sponges
often dried within 20 h of hydration. After desiccation, the principal mortality
source was predation by ants, spiders (Geolycosa sp.), and carabid beetles
(Pasimachus strenuus, P. subsulcatus, Dicaelus sp.). In most instances, it was not