Few data have been collected on Jekyll Island to document which species of vertebrate wildlife have been found in which habitats. Therefore, in an effort to inform priority habitat and species conservation initiatives on the Island, the GSTC has begun baseline trapping assessments of particular focal groups, notably reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals.

Reptiles and amphibians play important roles in ecosystems and can serve as indicators towards the overall health of an ecosystem. Therefore obtaining the fundamental data on their status provides the basis for additional conservation analysis. Using coverboards and PVC pipe traps we will compile a species list of reptiles and amphibians on Jekyll Island.  While coverboards and pipes alone will not yield enough data to create an exhaustive list, the study will provide researchers and volunteers with an opportunity to document and photograph a number of species in the field.

 

Fifty coverboards made of plywood (roughly 1.2 m x 1.2 m) are distributed at 10 sites. Sites are located throughout the island, primarily in maritime live oak hammocks and pine flatwoods. Using Captain Wylly Road as a halfway-point, five sites are located on the southern half of the island and five on the north.  Each site contains five boards arranged in a manner suiting the individual site and based on preferred habitats of target organisms. Boards are checked weekly. Observers record dates, times, weather conditions, surface temperature beneath each board, and the number of each species and individuals found.  Specimens are photographed when possible for documentation and to assist with identification.

In addition PVC pipe traps are placed approximately two meters high in trees located in 8 different sites using 2-4 pipes at each location. These pipes target hylid tree frogs. The pipes have a small sponge in the bottom to help retain water that attract the frogs to use this habitat. When found, frogs are measured and counted in each trap. In the future the research team will begin testing specimens in order to determine if chytridiomycosis is present on the Island.

 

Additionally, the research team sets turtle traps weekly in order to inventory and assess the population of freshwater turtles on the island. Further, minnow traps are placed in freshwater areas with hopes of catching tadpoles and other small amphibians that may be inclined to swim into the traps.

For a list of plant and animal species found (or possibly found) on Jekyll Island, please visit the following: Jekyll Island Floral and Faunal Lists

Additional information can be found in the Jekyll Island Conservation Plan:

Part 1 and Part 2