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We conducted an amphibian inventory at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from August 2000 to June 9002 as part of the U.S. Department of the Interior's national Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative. Nineteen species of amphibians (15 anurans and 4 caudates) were documented within the Refuge, including one protected species, the Gopher Frog Rana capito. We also collected 1 y of monitoring data for amphibian populations and incorporated the results into the inventory. Detection probabilities and site occupancy estimates for four species, the Pinewoods Treefrog (Hyla femoralis), Pig Frog (Rana grylio), Southern Leopard Frog (R. sphenocephala) and Carpenter Frog (R. virgatipes) are presented here. Detection probabilities observed in this study indicate that spring and summer surveys offer the best opportunity to detect these species in the Refuge. Results of the inventory suggest that substantial changes may have occurred in the amphibian fauna within and adjacent to the swamp. However, monitoring the amphibian community of Okefenokee Swamp will prove difficult because of the logistical challenges associated with a rigorous statistical assessment of status and trends.

Crinum erubescens (Amaryllidaceae), a water-dispersed herbaceous perennial occupying the margin between land and freshwater lakes and swamps in Panama, produces seeds of highly variable size (0.1-66.5 g). Seeds were grown under conditions mimicking natural habitat types (water; saturated, undrained soil; moist, drained soil; and drained soil, saturated every third day) to determine whether either small or large seeds perform better in some habitats. Time to germination and percent germination are not related to seed size in any habitat type. Small seeds are less likely to survive in water, but not in other habitat types. Growth is positively associated with seed size in all habitat types and is greatest in saturated soil. Unlike studies with terrestrial plants, the benefits of having a large seed are demonstrated in the absence of competition.