Advisor: Günter Gollmann

Master's Defensio - Friday, March 22nd 2024, 13:00
online

Abstract

The expansion of towns and cities goes hand in hand with degradation of natural habitats, which results in decline of many species. In particular amphibians suffer badly from human induced environmental changes, partly due to their complex life cycle. There are a few species that manage to colonize secondary habitats in the heavily modified areas, such as the European green toad (Bufotes viridis). This makes it an interesting species for conducting research on effects of anthropogenic changes on wildlife. Our study attempts to answer the question how movement activity of B. viridis differs in a strongly anthropogenic environment compared to the natural habitat. Using radiotelemetry, we showed that activity ranges in an urban park (Rudolf-Bednar-Park in Vienna - RBP) were significantly smaller than those in a natural habitat (soda pan in the national park Neusiedlersee/Seewinkel). We discovered previously unknown daytime hiding places and site fidelity was observed in both habitats. Also, it was witnessed that tracking packages mounted on the male’s back did not prevent them from successfully mating. The results of this study are an indication of potential adaption of spatial activity to different habitats (urban versus natural) in B. viridis, however further research is needed. The dataset generated in this study can be used as preliminary data to apply this approach to several sites along a human disturbance gradient for populations in Europe, which can contribute to collecting information for conservation measures.

Keywords: movement tracking, home range, urban habitat, natural habitat, Bufotes viridis, Bufonidae