Effect of water level reduction on the developement of wood frog (Rana dalmatina) tadpoles
Abstract
Pond drying can be fatal for amphibian larvae developing in temporary water bodies. Decreasing water level can induce phenotypic changes in amphibian larvae inhabiting such habitats aiding survival (adaptive phenotypic plasticity). One species of the Hungarian herpetofauna breeding in temporary water bodies is the agile frog, Rana dalmatina. We studied whether decreasing water level induced changes in life history, morphological and behavioural traits of agile frog tadpoles in a manipulative laboratory experiment. Decreasing water level did not affect timing of metamorphosis or body shape, but it decreased boodymass at metamorphosis, activity and risk-taking of the tadpoles. Our results suggest that even though agile frog tadpoles do react to decreasing water levels, there is only a general negative impact on development instead of an adaptive response. Therefore, it seems highly unlikely that agile frog tadpoles could compensate pond drying by accelerated development. Further, even if they would successfully metamorphose before the pond dried out, their fitness would decrease due to their decreased size.
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