Developmental dynamics of Ambystoma tigrinum in a changing landscape.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Loss of pond habitat is catastrophic to aquatic larval amphibians, but even reduction in the amount of time a breeding site holds water (hydroperiod) can influence amphibian development and limit reproductive success. Using the landscape variation of a glacial valley in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as the context for a natural experiment, we examined variation in growth pattern and life history of the salamander Ambystoma tigrinum melanostictum and determined how these developmental characteristics varied with hydroperiod over several summers.

Results

In ponds that dried early in the season, maximum larval size was reduced relative to the sizes achieved in permanent ponds. Ephemeral ponds were associated with early metamorphosis at small body sizes, while per

SUBMITTER: McMenamin SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2861013 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature