Evaluation of terrestrial interactions between metamorphs of green frogs and American toads

Many research studies have focused on the interactions among larval anurans, but relatively little is known about competitive or predatory interactions among anurans following metamorphosis. The purpose of our study was to examine the effects of post-metamorphic Green frogs (Rana clamitans) on post-metamorphic American toads (Bufo americanus) in the terrestrial environment. We examined the effects of metamorphosed Green frogs that were caged or free-roaming on survival, growth, and hiding behavior of recently metamorphosed American toads in a replicated laboratory experiment. Free-roaming Green frog presence had a significant negative effect on American toad survival. Our data also show that Green frogs negatively affected growth and activity. These results indicate that Green frog metamorphs could affect American toads in the post-metamorphic terrestrial phase and suggests that larger species can have a disproportionate negative influence on smaller species in the terrestrial environment.  This study represents the first to examine interspecific interactions among anurans in the terrestrial life stage.