Squirrel Treefrogs

I found these squirrel treefrogs (Hyla squirella) in a pvc pipe in the wetland area near Friday Hall on February 20, 2018. Placing pvc pipes and other similar objects is actually a method used to monitor hylid frog populations and their distributions. When the pipes are placed correctly, they provide a suitable environment for the frogs to take refuge during the day when they are generally inactive. Many species of treefrogs benefit from artificial hiding places like these, even when they aren't there for this purpose. This relationship between treefrogs and humans could be considered commensalism since it does not directly help or hurt people but it does benefit the frogs. However, I would also say it is a form of mutualism since treefrogs provide the ecological service of pest management. Treefrogs and frogs in general consume enormous amounts of insects during the warmer months, including mosquitoes. This benefits humans by reducing the risk of contracting an insect-transmitted disease.

 

Source: www.jstor.org/stable/3877983?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

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