Smilisca baudinii tadpoles

Smilisca baudinii (eaten here and a froglet here) is one of two hylid tadpoles that are being reared (Hyla microcephala is the other).  The tadpoles are medium-sized, with a broad tail and they are somewhat light in color, especially compared to the bufonids.  The mouth is similar to that of the other tadpole species here in that it has 2/3 denticles (with the second anterior denticle medially broken) and a prominent beak; however, the large, complete oral disk is completely surrounded by many rows of papillae; some of the other tadpoles have gaps in the papillae surrounding the oral disk.  Additionally, the toe pads are visible on the budding feet of the tadpoles, which is a good indicator that this is a hylid.

Other tadpole posts:

Rhinophrynus dorsalis
Engystomops pustulosus
Incilius luetkenii
Smilisca baudinii
Hyla microcephala
Leptodactylus melanonotus

Hylidae - Smilisca baudinii - tadpole mouth - 07.04.2010 - 15.34.58OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Diversity effects on decomposition field collection

A couple of days ago, I collected a set of decomposing plant material bundles for my diversity effects on decomposition study.  Again, this sequence illustrates some of the methods used to collect the ‘decomposition bundles’ – a combination of dead macrophyte tissue from one to five species, wrapped up with a zip-tie and attached to a string.  Replicates are attached to the poles shown here and below (there are five).

Briefly, I uncovered the bundles, carefully sniped them from the string, placed them on a white tray, and bagged them in Whirl-Paks.  From there, there is lab processing, which I’ll hopefully have a similar post for soon…

Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.12.51
Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.13.02
Replicate posts

Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.13.55
The bundle is nearly indistinquishable from the rest of the plants around it.
Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.14.28 Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.14.06
Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.18.48
A tray filled with individual bundles, waiting to be bagged.

Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.19.03
Number 2.
Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.19.30 Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.23.28
Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.23.46
Clipping a bundle from the string.

Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.58.33
Recording bundle identification numbers
Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.58.48
Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.59.14
A potato sack was used to carry finished samples. It nicely floats in the 1.5 m of water.

Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.59.30
Next time, I'm going to try to get a photograph of myself, to illustrate the depth.
Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 08.59.48
Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 09.26.23
Bagged samples.

Decomposition bundle collection - 07.10.2010 - 09.26.40
Collection gear.

Misty morning

The level of the vegetation is a bit deceiving below.  It may look like the grasses are creeping up the fence, but it’s really the water that is creeping up and bringing the now-very-thick vegetation with it.  The water level is almost at my chest, which never occurred last year.  It’s also raining almost daily…  We’ll see how things are in a couple of weeks, when I’m swimming while sampling and getting caught in that barb wire.

Fence view - 07.04.2010 - 07.37.04Fence view - 07.04.2010 - 07.35.31

Nonsense.