Hide and sleep: terrestrial resting site selection by the Yellow-bellied Toad in a forested landscape

Abstract

Most amphibians rely on both aquatic and terrestrial environments throughout their life cycle. While the use and selection of aquatic habitats are well documented in many species, terrestrial habitats remain far less studied. The yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata) is a small, cryptic species whose terrestrial ecology is poorly known, particularly regarding the use and selection of resting sites. To address this gap, we tracked individuals using VHF transmitters during the breeding and post-breeding seasons, and characterized their terrestrial shelters. These shelters were used occasionally during the breeding season, either as resting sites near aquatic habitats or during movements, and more intensively after the breeding season, possibly in preparation for wintering. Shelters were found across a wide range of microhabitats, with selection primarily driven by the presence of holes and high woody debris cover. Distances between terrestrial shelters and the aquatic sites used varied greatly among individuals, highlighting the importance of maintaining suitable terrestrial habitats within several hundred meters around aquatic sites. This study emphasizes the importance of considering terrestrial microhabitats in forest management for the conservation of this species.