Identifying effects of toe clipping on anuran return rates: the importance of statistical power

摘要: Toe clipping is a common method of marking anurans for population studies. We re-analysed data from four published studies investigating the relationship between return rate and number toes clipped three anuran species: Bufo fowleri, Crinia signifera Hyla labialis . Although these claimed contradictory results, re-analysis with proper attention to statistical power demonstrated statistically significant decline 6-18% in probability each toe removed after first, examined. The that fourth study would detect effect was low unless size overwhelming. These results provide consistent evidence decreases marked anurans, demonstrates importance considering during analysis. Use mark-recapture may produce estimates parameters are biased by same magnitude as rates, researchers control this method.