I am not limiting myself to any particular species. I want it to be native plants and microfauna. Wetlands biome is ideal. I want the flora to dictate the animal species, not the other way around. I will be making collections of plants from city parks and local reservoir, Addicks Reservoir to be specific, which is run by the army corp of engineers. they have informed me that collecting plants of non-endangered/threatened/etc. status is perfectly legal. However, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has some rules that look like I need some things:Texas Parks and Wildlife Department requires that anyone who captures a wild animal be licensed or permitted. If you would like to participate in an activity that actively involves capturing amphibians (such as malformation monitoring), then you have two options:
You can purchase a State of Texas Hunting License (a $6 license is available for anyone under age 17.)
You can attend a TPWD amphibian monitoring workshop and we will issue you a scientific permit.
Collecting frogs is not allowed on public roads.
You do not have to have a permit or license to conduct call count surveys or to observe amphibians as an Amphibian Spotter.
I have had a hunting license in the past, and certain requirements can be circumvented for invasive species. The other issue seems to be that the above stipulations do not specifically mention relocation to captivity, but rather mention private ponds and such.
Eleutherodactylus spp. seem to have some appeal to me because of the sound and thier small size.