Wood Frog Life History 



35 



Fig. 2. Distribution of Rana sylvatica at the southern terminus of its range. 

 Solid circles indicate counties (not localities) in Georgia and Alabama where 

 specimens have been taken. Presumed range is indicated by hatching (see expla- 

 nation in text). 



latifolia, Saururus cernuus, Sparganium americanum, and Ranunculus 

 sp. were the most common plants in these situations. Alnus serrulata, 

 Quercus spp., and Cornus spp. were usually present along the edges of 

 the pond or in shallow water. 



A fairly consistent assemblage of breeding associates was present 

 with R. sylvatica during the breeding season. Amby stoma maculatum 

 and A. opacum were present at every site. Notophthalmus viridescens, 

 Hyla crucifer, Pseudacris triseriata, and P. brachyphona were common 

 associates. Bufo americanus and Rana sphenocephala were always pres- 

 ent in pasture breeding ponds. Collins and Wilbur (1979) reported that, 

 in Michigan, R. sylvatica, H. crucifer, and P. triseriata were breeding 

 associates, particularly in temporary aquatic habitats. 



A number of previous accounts described wood frogs as explosive 

 breeders that generally spend only a few days in the breeding ponds (see 

 Seale 1982), and we found this to be true of Alabama populations. 

 Males begin calling with the onset of the first heavy, warm winter rain 



