Anuran Traits of the United States (ATraiU):
A Multi-use Database for Traits-based Conservation of Anurans
Chloe E. Moore, Jacob Helmann*, Ye Chen*, London Hughes*, Noah Wax*, Sabine St. Amour*, Tora Decker Griffith*, and Meryl C. Mims
(* denotes undergraduate on the project)
The United States is home to many anuran (frog and toad) species, each with defining traits, characteristics, and habitats that set them apart from one another. Understanding trait variation within and between anurans species is key to many successful conservation and research efforts, but the recording of species traits is just as variable as the species themselves. We have created a comprehensive anuran traits database of the United States that compiles trait data into a single, accessible location. We digitized trait values for 106 species using a hierarchical literature search protocol that pulled 15 frequently reported anuran traits from over 150 sources. All traits are traceable to their original reference, which represents a major improvement in transparency from existing databases. Overall, all compiled traits have more than 60% of anurans with corresponding trait data. Following completion of the revision process, ATraiU will be published as an open-access database. Ultimately, ATraiU will be accessible to a variety of users and purposes, from managers in charge of anuran conservation to researchers addressing knowledge gaps in anuran ecology.
Project Status: ATraiU is in revision and plans for resubmission and publication are for late 2019/early 2020!