Vernal PondsVernal PondsContained Basin Depressions Lacking a Contained Basin Depressions Lacking a

Permanent Above Ground OutletPermanent Above Ground Outlet

Small Pool in a shallow Depression of a Wooded Area

Pool Formed by a Flooded Meadow

Pool in a Vegetated Wetland

Pool in a Red Maple Swamp

Large Pool Among Hills in an Upland Forest

Obligate Vernal Pond Obligate Vernal Pond BreedersBreeders

• Wood FrogsWood Frogs

• Mole SalamandersMole Salamanders– SpottedSpotted– Jefferson/Blue SpottedJefferson/Blue Spotted– MarbledMarbled

• Fairy ShrimpFairy Shrimp

Spotted SalamanderSpotted SalamanderAmbystoma MaculatumAmbystoma Maculatum

Spring Migration of Spotted Spring Migration of Spotted

SalamandersSalamanders

Spotted Salamander Spotted Salamander CongressCongress

Spotted Salamander Spotted Salamander SpermatorphoresSpermatorphores

Spotted Egg MassesSpotted Egg Masses

Developing Eggs

Egg Masses Most Often On Vegetation

Spotted Salamander LarvaeSpotted Salamander LarvaeIncomplete MetamorphosisIncomplete Metamorphosis

Blue Spotted Salamander

Other Obligate Mole Other Obligate Mole SalamandersSalamanders

Jefferson SalamanderJefferson Salamander

Marbled SalamanderMarbled Salamander

Wood FrogsWood FrogsRana SylvaticaRana Sylvatica

Adult FemalesThe “Quacking Frog”

Engaged In AmplexusEngaged In AmplexusWood Frog EggsWood Frog Eggs

External Fertilization

Wood Frog Communal Egg Wood Frog Communal Egg MassesMasses

Wood frog MetamorphosisWood frog Metamorphosis

Tadpoles

Tadpole to frog

Emergent Wood Frog with Tail Emergent Wood Frog with Tail RemnantRemnant

Fairy ShrimpFairy Shrimp

1 – 2 inch crustaceans thatSwim upside down

Facultative Vernal Pond Facultative Vernal Pond BreedersBreeders

• Spring PeepersSpring Peepers

• Eastern NewtsEastern Newts

• Spadefoot ToadSpadefoot Toad

• American ToadAmerican Toad

• Fowlers ToadFowlers Toad

• Pickerel FrogPickerel Frog

• Leopard FrogLeopard Frog

• Green FrogGreen Frog

• BullfrogBullfrog

• Gray Tree FrogGray Tree Frog

• Spotted TurtleSpotted Turtle

• Blanding’s TurtleBlanding’s Turtle

• Wood TurtleWood Turtle

• InvertebratesInvertebrates

Facultative Amphibians Facultative Amphibians Spring PeeperSpring Peeper

Distinguishing characteristics: X Marks the Spot and the Pads on the Toes

Fowlers Toad

Other Facultative Other Facultative AmphibiansAmphibians

Spadefoot Toad

Leopard Frog

Pickerel Frog

BullfrogBullfrog

Largest New England Frog

Gray TreefrogGray Treefrog

American ToadAmerican Toad

Distinguishing Characteristics WartsWhite Line down the Center of the Back

Facultative BreedersFacultative BreedersGreen FrogsGreen FrogsCommon Lake/Pond SpeciesCommon Lake/Pond Species

Distinguishing Characteristics Green ThroatRidge Lines from Eyes to Hind Legs

Eastern NewtsEastern Newts

Adult and Juvenile Red Eft

Facultative ReptilesFacultative Reptiles

Spotted Turtle

Blanding’s Turtle

Wood Turtle

Vernal Pond InvertebratesVernal Pond Invertebrates

Isopod

Backswimmer

Dragonfly Nymph

Fingernail Clams and Flat Snails

Threats to Vernal PondsThreats to Vernal Ponds

• DevelopmentDevelopment

• LoggingLogging

• RecreationRecreation

• Other?Other?

Vernal Pond Certification with Vernal Pond Certification with Obligate SpeciesObligate Species

• Signed Observation FormSigned Observation Form

• USGS Map + One Other MapUSGS Map + One Other Map

• Evidence of Obligate SpeciesEvidence of Obligate Species– Photo of Pool Holding WaterPhoto of Pool Holding Water– Photo of Obligate Species BreedingPhoto of Obligate Species Breeding

Certification of Vernal Pond Certification of Vernal Pond with Facultative Specieswith Facultative Species

• Signed Observation FormSigned Observation Form

• USGS Map + One Additional MapUSGS Map + One Additional Map

• PhotosPhotos– Photos of Pool Holding Water and the Photos of Pool Holding Water and the

Pool DryPool Dry– Photos of two or more Facultative Photos of two or more Facultative

SpeciesSpecies

Certification of Dry Vernal Certification of Dry Vernal PoolPool

• Signed Observation FormSigned Observation Form

• USGS Map + One Other MapUSGS Map + One Other Map

• PhotosPhotos– Photo of the Pool Basis Without WaterPhoto of the Pool Basis Without Water– Photo of Facultative Species Persistent Photo of Facultative Species Persistent

After Pool Drying such as snail shells, After Pool Drying such as snail shells, fingernail clam shells, exuvia of fingernail clam shells, exuvia of dragonflies and damselfliesdragonflies and damselflies