Above ground phenology of terrestrial forms of western spadefoot with management recommendations

Species of the genus Spea, amphibians known as spadefoots, are secretive (Bragg 1965), generally remaining underground during dry periods and emerging during wet periods when conditions are more favorable (Storer 1925;Stebbins 1951Stebbins , 1954;;Stebbins and McGinnis 2012).Spea along the Pacific coast have been reported to generally spend the non-breeding season underground and emerge following fall and winter rain events to seek out vernal pools and similar habitat for reproduction (Storer 1925;Stebbins 1951Stebbins , 1954;;Thomson et al. 2015).After periods of rainfall, males migrate to breeding pools and vocalize to attract females (Stebbins 1954).Individual females arrive after males and likely breed only