Assemblages of Amphibians, Reptiles, and Mammals on an Urban Military Base in Oklahoma – via Herp Digest

Victor Bogosian III,* Eric C. Hellgren, and Raymond W. Moody

Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Mailcode 6504, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-6504 (VB, ECH)

Natural Resource Program, 72 ABW/CEANO, 7701 Arnold Street, Suite 109, Tinker Air Force Base, OK 73145-9100 (RWM)

Present address of VB: Missouri Department of Conservation, Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, 6700 West Route K, Columbia, MO 65203

*Correspondent: Vic.Bogosian@mdc.mo.gov

The Southwestern Naturalist 57(3):277-284. 2012 

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-57.3.277

Abstract

We surveyed Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, an urban complex largely dominated by industrial and housing facilities but with habitats for herpetofauna and mammals. Using a variety of sampling techniques, we captured or observed >2,000 organisms on 16 study areas. We tallied 11 species of amphibians (all anurans), 26 species of reptiles, and 24 species of mammals, including several species of conservation concern. Species richness and diversity were predictably higher on green-space areas and were lower on areas surrounding airfield runways.