I was recently awarded funding by Prairie Biotic Research, Inc. to survey four remnant prairies sites in southeastern South Dakota for state-monitored species of amphibians and reptiles. The highest species diversity of amphibians and reptiles is in this corner of South Dakota and many state-monitored species are expected to occur in this region, though recent occurrence records are lacking for many species. These state-monitored species include Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Lined Snake, Ring-necked Snake, Western Foxsnake, Plains Leopard Frog, Cope’s Gray Treefrog, and Blanchard’s Cricket Frog. With this funding, I hope to add additional occurrence records for these species and others, generate critically important voucher specimens, and highlight the importance of prairie habitats on a landscape that is dominated by row crop agriculture. Data from this project will be added to the website: Amphibians and Reptiles of South Dakota.

Grant Title: Amphibian and reptile surveys in remnant prairies in southeastern South Dakota, with special emphasis on state-monitored species