OVERWINTERING TADPOLES OF RANA ADENOPLEURA IN A SUBTROPICAL LOWLAND OF TAIWAN
| Autor: | Ming Feng Adam Chuang, 莊銘豐 |
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| Rok vydání: | 2006 |
| Druh dokumentu: | 學位論文 ; thesis |
| Popis: | 94 I studied the reproductive phenology, growth pattern and physiological mechanism of overwintering tadpoles of Rana adenopleura in a subtropical lowland area. From January 2003 to July 2004, field surveys were conducted at the Lian-Hua-Chih biological station of Yuchih Township, Nantou County, in central Taiwan. I recorded the breeding season as well as the growth and development of tadpole once or twice a month. I examined the effects of temperature and food on development and growth rate of overwintering tadpoles using a 2 X 2 factorial design. Results showed that R. adenopleura reproduces from April to October, but tadpoles were found year round. Tadpoles from early breeding season could metamorphosis before winter whereas those from late breeding season overwintered. Development was retarded when the temperature dropped from October to November, and even completely ceases to develop from December to February. Tadpoles did not return to the normal developmental rate until March and April. Overwintering tadpoles were larger than non-overwintering tadpoles. Results from a laboratory experiments showed that tadpoles developed faster at high temperatures while there was no difference in developmental rate when tadpoles were treated with two food levels. These results showed that tadpoles of R. adenopleura do overwinter, and temperature was an important factor inducing tadpoles to overwinter. My results suggest that tadpoles of R. adenopleura overwinter in the subtropical lowland of Taiwan in part due to long breeding season, slow developmental rate, and sensitivity to cold temperature. |
| Databáze: | Networked Digital Library of Theses & Dissertations |
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