46 Mark S. Davis and George W. Folkerts 



present were odonate naiads (Libellulidae, Lestidae, Coenagrionidae) 

 and nymphal and adult giant water bugs (Belostomatidae). 



The most significant vertebrate predator on R. sylvatica tadpoles 

 appeared to be the larvae of Ambystoma opacum. These salamanders 

 were always present in the breeding ponds and were usually seen in 

 close proximity to wood frog egg masses prior to hatching. Salamander 

 larvae probably were attracted to unhatched eggs by movements of 

 developing embryos. Walters (1975) stated that eggs and larvae of R. 

 sylvatica were readily eaten by adult newts and marbled salamanders, 

 but neither of these was noted as a predator during our study. Fish were 

 usually absent from the breeding ponds, but one potential tadpole pred- 

 ator, Lepomis cyanellus, was encountered in two ponds. No predation 

 by this species was observed during our study. 



Adult Food Habits 



We examined stomach and intestinal contents of 42 adult R. 

 sylvatica from Alabama. Because only 14 of these specimens contained 

 identifiable food items (Table 3), this analysis is useful only for generali- 

 zation. Alabama wood frogs appear to be opportunistic terrestrial feed- 

 ers. Insects, spiders, earthworms, and snails were the major food items 

 present. A scarab beetle, Eutheola rugiceps, was discovered in the coe- 

 lom of one specimen. A large hole in the stomach indicated that the 

 beetle had torn its way through the stomach wall after being ingested 

 (Davis and Folkerts 1980). Neither males nor females collected in breed- 

 ing ponds contained food. Since all were immediately preserved, we 

 assume that neither sex feeds at this time. Adult wood frogs may not 

 require food during such a short, explosive breeding period. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. — For companionship during many late- 

 night collecting trips, and a multitude of favors, we thank Tom Jones. 

 Dan Combs, Lee Elliot, Win Seyle, and Dan Warren provided assist- 

 ance in the field. Sonny Eiland and Pete Lahanas helped identify food 

 items and larval insects. Winston Baker provided the locality of a new 

 breeding population. Tom Yarbrough gave advice on making trips to 

 Mt. Cheaha, and Tom Johnson provided unpublished information on 

 Missouri wood frogs. Robert Mount, Wayne Clark, and John Cooper 

 reviewed early drafts of the manuscript and made numerous helpful 

 suggestions. Sue Kahre drew the range maps; Sharna King and Cheryl 

 James kindly typed the manuscript on short notice. Several people at 

 the University of Missouri provided assistance in some form and to 

 them we extend our heartfelt thanks: Richard Daniel, Carl Gerhardt, 

 Brian Miller, and Robert Witcher. This paper represents part of a thesis 



