Award Date

1-1-2007

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Life Sciences

First Committee Member

Stanley Hillyard

Number of Pages

56

Abstract

Relict Leopard frogs (Rana onca) are found in thermal springs with water temperatures in excess of 30°C at the source but it's unknown whether tadpoles require reintroduction sites with specific thermal conditions for development. Tadpole survivorship at 20, 25 and 30°C was 84, 93.8, and 66%, respectively, while none survived at 35°C. Time to metamorphosis was significantly shorter for 25°C acclimation group (62+/-8 days) followed by the 30° (106+/-51 days) and 20°C (260+/-47 days) acclimation groups. Development was arrested in the 15°C acclimated group and survivorship declined to 63.8% after 191 days. However, 80% of the surviving larvae completed metamorphosis after temperature was increased to 25°C. When placed in a thermal gradient, larvae selected temperatures closest to their acclimation temperature. Maximum burst speed was greatest at 25°C for all but not the 30°C acclimation groups. Thus, reintroduction sites require water temperatures between 20° and 30°C during most of the year.

Keywords

Behavior; Development; Effects; Frog; Leopard; Onca; Rana; Relict; Tadpoles; Temperature

Controlled Subject

Ecology; Physiology; Zoology

File Format

pdf

File Size

1300.48 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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