SEASONAL MOVEMENT PATTERNS OF PICKEREL FROGS (RANA PALUSTRIS) IN AN OZARK CAVE AND TROPHIC IMPLICATIONS SUPPORTED BY STABLE ISOTOPE EVIDENCE

We monitored a population of pickerel frogs (Rana palustris) in an Ozark cave over a 2-year period. Frogs were found from August to April with densities peaking from November to December. Although densities were quite high in these peak months, stomach content and stable isotope analyses reveal that R. palustris does not play a significant role as a predator in this subterranean system. These results suggest that the caves are being used as thermal refugia during the coldest months of the year.