Behavioural adaptations of Rana temporaria to cold climates

Journal of Thermal Biology
Gerda LudwigBernd Pelster

Abstract

Environmental conditions at the edge of a species' ecological optimum can exert great ecological or evolutionary pressure at local populations. For ectotherms like amphibians temperature is one of the most important abiotic factors of their environment as it influences directly their metabolism and sets limits to their distribution. Amphibians have evolved three ways to cope with sub-zero temperatures: freeze tolerance, freeze protection, freeze avoidance. The aim of this study was to assess which strategy common frogs at mid and high elevation use to survive and thrive in cold climates. In particular we (1) tested for the presence of physiological freeze protection, (2) evaluated autumnal activity and overwintering behaviour with respect to freeze avoidance and (3) assessed the importance of different high-elevation microhabitats for behavioural thermoregulation. Common frogs did not exhibit any signs of freeze protection when experiencing temperatures around 0 °C. Instead they retreated to open water for protection and overwintering. High elevation common frogs remained active for around the same period of time than their conspecifics at lower elevation. Our results suggest that at mid and high elevation common frogs use free...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 30, 2020·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Urtzi Enriquez-UrzelaiAlfredo G Nicieza
Jun 6, 2021·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Song TanJingfeng Chen

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