Physiological and fitness consequences of embryonic rearing environment among populations of post-metamorphic wood frogs, Lithobates sylvatica

Early ontogenetic stages can have lasting effects on future stages. Itis important to quantify the magnitude and nature of carry−overeffects within a species before making broad generalizations amongspecies. We examined how experimental pond drying affectedpost−metamorphic morphology, physiology, and performance inwood frogs, Lithobates sylvatica. In addition, we tested ifpopulations differed in their response to pond drying. Initial mass,limb−length, snout−vent length, and resting metabolic rate weremeasured on newly metamorphed frogs. Juveniles were then rearedwith ad−libitum food for 7 weeks to measure growth rate. Larvaltreatment induced differences in limb length with individuals in thedrying treatment having longer limbs upon completion ofmetamorphosis. Postmetamorphic frogs differed by population ininitial mass, snout−vent length, jumping performance, swimmingperformance, resting metabolic rate, and growth rate. Our studysuggests that population, and not larval conditions, has a greaterinfluence on the post−metamorphic phenotype and performance.Furthermore, despite population level differences, our study suggeststhat populations respond similarly to larval rearing conditions