Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Water-filled Asian elephant tracks serve as breeding sites for anurans in Myanmar
Author(s)
Platt, Steven, G.;Bickford, David P.;Win, Myo Min;Rainwater, Thomas R.
Published
2019
Publisher
Mammalia
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2017-0174
Abstract
Elephants are widely recognized as ecosystem engineers. To date, most research on ecosystem engineering by elephants has focused on Loxodonta africana and Loxodonta cyclotis, and the role of Elephas maximus is much less well-known. We here report observations of anuran eggs and larva in water-filled tracks (n=20) of E. maximus in Myanmar. Our observations suggest that water-filled tracks persist for >1 year and function as small lentic waterbodies that provide temporary, predator-free breeding habitat for anurans during the dry season when alternate sites are unavailable. Trackways could also function as “stepping stones” that connect anuran populations.
Keywords
conservation;ecosystem engineers;Elephas maximus;Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB24656