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Discriminant analysis of the terrestrial and aquatic habitat determinants of the smooth newt ( Triturus vulgaris ) and the common frog ( Rana temporaria ) in Ireland
Author(s) -
Marnell Ferdia
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1998.tb00001.x
Subject(s) - biology , triturus , habitat , ecology , discriminant function analysis , rana , zoology , anatomy , machine learning , computer science
The breeding site characteristics of the smooth newt ( Triturus vulgaris ) and the common frog ( Rana temporaria ) have been investigated in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland. A total of 278 waterbodies and their surrounding terrestrial habitats were examined in 60 National Grid 10‐km squares across the island: 33 habitat parameters were recorded. Discriminant function analyses were calculated which correctly classified 88.46% and 87.5% of the sites for the newt and frog, respectively. These analyses identified the terrestrial and aquatic habitat variables which were important in discriminating between the sites which were used and unused by each of the species. Terrestrial habitat factors, particularly the availability of terrestrial refugia, were found to be especially important in determining the suitability of the breeding sites for both species.