Developmental plasticity and growth rates of green frog (Rana clamitans) embryos and tadpoles in relation to a leech (Macrobdella decora) predator

Gina Schalk, Mark R. Forbes, Patrick J. Weatherhead

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We tested for predator-induced plasticity in development and growth of embryos and young tadpoles of green frogs (Rana clamitans). We expected to observe developmental plasticity in response to the leech, Macrobdella decora, because the leech represents a high, but unpredictable, risk of mortality. Embryos raised with a leech tended to delay hatching and hatched at larger size. Young tadpoles raised with a leech grew more slowly than tadpoles raised without a leech. Such changes should enhance survival of green frogs faced with the threat of leech predation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)445-449
Number of pages5
JournalCopeia
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Aquatic Science
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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