Greater reproductive investment, but shorter lifespan, in agrosystem than in natural-habitat toads.

ABSTRACT: Global amphibian decline is due to several factors: habitat loss, anthropization, pollution, emerging diseases, and global warming. Amphibians, with complex life cycles, are particularly susceptible to habitat alterations, and their survival may be impaired in anthropized habitats. Increased mortality is a well-known consequence of anthropization. Life-history theory predicts higher reproductive investment when mortality is increased. In this work, we compared age, body size, and different indicators of reproductive investment, as well as prey availability, in natterjack toads (Epidalea calamita) from agrosystems and adjacent natural pine groves in Southwestern Spain. Mean age was lower in agrosystems than in pine groves, possibly as a consequence of increased mortality due to agros

SUBMITTER: Zamora-Camacho FJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5600172 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature