Herpetofauna Richness, Diversity, and Occurrence at the Northern Ecotone of Longleaf Pine.

ABSTRACT: Habitat suitability commonly differs between the core and periphery of ecosystems. The longleaf pine ecosystem is recognized for its value in providing habitat to a variety of specialist and endemic species, especially herpetofauna. However, at the northernmost extent of longleaf pine (in southeastern Virginia) little is known about the denizen reptiles and amphibians. Moreover, the remaining longleaf pine ecosystem at the latitudinal ecotone is fragmented amongst a mosaic of other ecosystems. We examined herpetofauna diversity, richness, and capture rates between four focal habitat types-mature longleaf pine, restored longleaf pine, maple-gum swamp, and pocosin-bog-in the Zuni Pine Barrens of southeastern Virginia. We present an examination of herpetofauna community in one of the only rem

SUBMITTER: Jones J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12399407 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature