Environmental Drivers of Amphibian Breeding Phenology across Multiple Sites

A mechanistic understanding of phenology, the seasonal timing life history events, is important for species’ interactions and potential responses ecological communities to a rapidly changing climate. We present analysis seven-year dataset on breeding phenology wood frogs (Rana sylvatica), tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum), blue-spotted laterale), associated unisexual Ambystoma from six wetlands in Southeast Michigan, USA. assess whether ordinal date migrations varies among species, sexes, individual wetlands, we describe specific environmental conditions with each species/sex. Breeding was significantly affected by species/sex identity, year, wetland, between year as well wetland year. There great deal variation years, occurring nearly synchronously groups some years but widely spaced other years. Specific triggers movement varied species sex changed season progressed. In general, responded longer temperature lags (more warmer days row) than frogs, whereas required precipitation rainy salamanders. Wood were more likely migrate around time new moon, contrast, salamander migration not moon phase. Ordinal day an factor all models, suggesting that these amphibians require latency period or similar mechanism avoid too early even when weather appear favorable. Male migrated earlier female male A. laterale females. Larger smaller individuals. Differences cues led later colder This suggests that, climate warms, frog larvae may experience less predation due reduced size differences they breed simultaneously. Our study one few proximate drivers amphibian across multiple it can inform models predicting how change shift pond-breeding species.