Herpetofauna Inventory

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Herpetofauna Inventory

ROBERGE, B. (En prép.) Inventaire de l'herpétofaune à la réserve de parc national du Canada de l'Archipel-de-Mingan. 1997-1999 . Unité de gestion de Mingan. Service de conservation et de mise en valeur des écosystèmes.

ABSTRACT(Preliminary version)

American Toad
© Parks Canada / B. Roberge / J 01 07 10, 1997

The herpetofauna - wildlife consisting of amphibians and reptiles - of the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada ( MANPRC ) is not as of yet well documented. A few species have been catalogued as being part of the Mingan region. Herpetofauna is of great intrinsic value because of its roles in the ecology and as a bio-indicator of the state of the ecosystems. Between 1997 and 1999, Parks Canada conducted an inventory aimed at characterizing the herpetofauna of the MANPRC . In addition to numerous selective exploratory sites, five permanent study sites were monitored, four of which were on the islands and one on the mainland. Sampling stations were set up in each of the seven classes of habitat. Different census techniques were employed, notably action-oriented research (listening to frog calls, manual searching, direct observation, dip net) and the use of traps and snares (funnel traps, asphalt roofing material, wooden cover-boards), as well as evaluating the amphibian reproduction chronology and their environmental threats. Over 8 species of amphibian were recorded in the Mingan region: the American Toad ( Bufo americanus ), the Wood Frog ( Rana sylvatica ), the Mink Frog ( Rana septentrionalis ), the Northern Leopard Frog ( Rana pipiens ), the Green Frog ( Rana clamitans ), the Spring Peeper ( Pseudocaris crucifer ), the Blue-spotted Salamander ( Ambystoma laterale ) and the Yellow-spotted Salamander ( Ambystoma maculatum ). Two reptile species were also observed: the Garter Snake ( Thamnophis sirtalis ) and the Leatherback Turtle ( Dermochelys coriacea ).

Diversity, distribution, relative abundance, chronology and threats are treated in this document. Recommendations are being proposed regarding the acquisition of knowledge as well as the protection and monitoring of herpetofauna in the park.

A study report is forthcoming.

For more information, contact the Regional Library of Parks Canada in Quebec to consult the following document:

ROBERGE, B. 1997. Méthodologie. Inventaire de l'herpétofaune de la réserve de parc national de l'Archipel-de-Mingan, 1997-1998 . Service de conservation des ressources naturelles. Unité de gestion de Mingan, 32p.