EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT DIETS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOREAL TOADS (BUFO BOREAS)
Gibson P. 2007. EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT DIETS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOREAL TOADS (BUFO BOREAS). REU Summer Internship 2007. University of Montana, Missoula MT
The rate of larval development in amphibians can be an important determinant of survival. This rate is strongly influenced by habitat features including temperature and food availability and quality. This study investigated the influence of food type and quality on the development of boreal toad tadpoles (Bufo boreas) on the Nyack Flood Plain in Northwestern Montana. A mesocosm experiment comparing tadpole growth on different diet treatments found that tadpoles feeding on filamentous green algae (Spirogyra sp.) grew dramatically faster and larger than those feeding on periphyton, detritus, or no added food. Thus Spirogyra is a high quality food, but it is unlikely to be the primary tadpole food source on the Nyack because of apparently low abundance in toad breeding sites. We also measured an index of algal productivity in several ponds and compared this with temperature and tadpole growth monitored throughout the summer in these ponds. These data provide no evidence of a correlation between algal productivity and tadpole growth rate, but they do tentatively show a surprising negative correlation between average temperature and growth rate.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Gibson, Polly
- Date of Issue
- 2007
- Publisher
- REU Summer Internship 2007
- Units
- GLAC
- Keywords
- Amphibians, Boreal Toads, Bufo boreas, Flathead Lake Biological Station, Nyack Creek, REU, Spirogyra