Does carnivory pay off? Experiments on the effects of different types of diet on growth and development of Bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758) tadpoles and carry-over effects after metamorphosis

Abstract

Natural diets of anuran larvae vary widely in their relative amounts of nutrients. The proportion of these ingested nutrients has significant influence on larval and post-metamorphic performance. Here, we use the Common Toad to address the role of diet (exclusively carnivore, exclusively vegetarian and mixed) on growth and development of tadpoles and short-term carry-over effects on post-metamorphic animals. Larvae fed on an exclusively vegetarian diet performed better (faster growth and development) than larvae fed on exclusively carnivore and mixed diets. Larvae fed on the exclusively carnivore diet had the lowest performance. Regarding the carry-over effects of larval diets, although the body condition indices of the toadlets were similar in all treatments, there was a major difference in the survival rate. While toadlets, originating from larvae fed on a vegetarian diet, were more successful and had the lowest mortality, those fed on a carnivore diet had the highest mortality level. Our results suggest that a plant-based diet may contain all the necessary nutrients needed by Bufobufo larvae. Furthermore, a diet based exclusively on food of animal origin might be detrimental for the larval performance and could have significant carry-over effects on the post-metamorphic animal.

A laboratory experimental assessment of the sensibility of Rana temporaria tadpoles to the effects of car traffic-associated seismic disturbances

“…Thus, adult performance is affected by environmental factors long before metamorphosis. The quality of postmetamorphic animals, along with the survival rate at metamorphosis, and postmetamorphic environmental conditions are essential elements that will determine the future dynamics of the entire population (Craioveanu et al, 2019;Beckerman et al, 2002). The metamorphosis is a critical process in the development of amphibians, as they invest the energy acquired and stored as tadpoles in terrestrial maturity, with a complete reconfiguration of their appearance and physiology (Wilbur and Collins, 1973;Semlitsch et al, 1988;Denver et al, 1998).…”

“…Larvae excluded from the experiment were released at the site of capture. The study animals were kept in 4L containers (9x17x26cm), with eight larvae/container, in three liters of dechlorinated water (Craioveanu et al, 2019). This density corresponds to low densities in natural populations (Glennemeier and Denver, 2002;Rot-Nikcevic et al, 2005).…”

“…To establish the correct Gosner-stage we used images taken from several angles. In addition to these variables, we recorded the length of the larval period for each group (days) and mortality at metamorphosis (Craioveanu et al, 2019).…”

Interplay of abiotic, biotic, and individual factors in shaping individual growth and demography in a high-elevation common toad population

“…To account for differences in sex we modelled two sex-specific VB growth models. Additionally, once the parameters a and k were estimated, we could build two sexspecific growth curves, using as a starting size (size at metamorphosis) a value drawn from a random normal distribution with a mean of 12 mm and standard deviation of 1, to encompass the sizes of newly metamorphosed toads measured by Craioveanu et al (2019).…”

Komunitas Amfibi Di TWA Kerandangan Pasca Musim Kemarau

“…Fungsinya sebagai herbivore menjadikan amfibi vektor penting terhadap pemindahan materi dan energi dari produsen ke alam dan predatornya. Sebagian energi dan materi tidak ditransfer, melainkan digunakan untuk proses pertumbuhan dan perkembangan dan memasuki fase juvenile [3].…”