PACIFIC CHORUS FROG

Pacific chorus frog

Danielle Nelson, Lindsey Thurman, Evan Bredeweg, Tiffany Garcia

Latin name: Pseudacris (or Hyliola) regilla

The Pacific chorus frog (also known as the Pacific tree frog) has a distinctive call that can be heard in the early spring, and has been incorporated in many Hollywood films. Research by Danielle Nelson explored how their calling behavior responded to anthropogenic road noise. Work by Dr. Lindsey Thurman examined the role of competition in the development of this species, in particular how high elevation populations may respond in the face of climate change. Evan Bredeweg has also studied the factors shaping the movement behavior and jumping of the Pacific chorus frog. While not listed as a species of conservation concern, this research informs the management and protection of other at risk amphibian species.

Did you know? Danielle once fell in two nutria holes in one night while surveying for this project. 

Publications: 

Correlated trait responses to multiple selection pressures in larval amphibians reveal conflict avoidance strategies

Nelson, Danielle V., et al. "Calling at the highway: The spatiotemporal constraint of road noise on Pacific chorus frog communication." Ecology and Evolution 7.1 (2017): 429-440.