Comparative breeding behavior of the red-legged frog (Rana aurora aurora) and the western spotted frog (Rana pretiosa pretiosa) in southwestern British Columbia

1969 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 1287-1299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence E. Licht
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
Temporary Pond ◽  
Breeding Behavior ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Rana Aurora ◽  
Mating Call ◽  
Mating Calls ◽  
Slow Moving ◽  
Rana Pretiosa

The breeding behavior of Rana aurora aurora and R. pretiosa pretiosa from an area of sympatry in southwestern British Columbia is described and compared. A 7-ac field near White Rock, B.C., was closely observed during the 1968 and 1969 breeding seasons.Both species arrived at breeding sites and began breeding activities within 2 weeks after emergence from hibernation in February and March. They both used the same temporary pond and slow-moving stream, and breeding occurred simultaneously.Male pretiosa gather into small groups with individuals vocalizing within inches of each other. The mating call is given in air as the frogs float on the surface of water only a few inches deep at the margins of the pond and river. Male aurora call several feet apart while completely submerged in 2 ft or more of water, and 3 ft or more from the pond and river edges. Descriptions of the mating calls of both species, as well as a call peculiar to amplectic male aurora, are given.Female pretiosa spawn mainly during daylight and the eggs are placed on top of, or immediately adjacent to, the first mass present. As many as 26 separate masses were laid on top of one another in the same place, unattached to vegetation in only a few inches of water. Female aurora spawn only at night and deposit their eggs attached to submerged vegetation in a minimum of 12 in. of water, and at least 3 ft from the pond and river shore; masses are several feet apart. The eggs of both species are laid in those areas where conspecific males vocalize.Peculiar aspects of both species' breeding behaviors are discussed, as well as those factors leading to successful reproductive isolation. Observations of breeding aurora in allopatry indicate no major differences from those on aurora sympatric with pretiosa.

Survival of embryos, tadpoles, and adults of the frogs Rana aurora aurora and Rana pretiosa pretiosa sympatric in southwestern British Columbia

1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 613-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence E. Licht
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Life History ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Initial Number ◽  
Rana Aurora ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Rana Pretiosa ◽  
Young Of The Year ◽  
Population Numbers

Field survival of embryos, tadpoles, and adults of Rana aurora and Rana pretiosa sympatric in marshes near Vancouver, British Columbia, was studied.Embryonic survival for R. aurora was 90% and better, whereas for R. pretiosa it was about 70%. As well, in dry periods during breeding, R. pretiosa embryos face the danger of desiccation and extensive or complete mortality.Survival of tadpoles of both species in a pond breeding site studied was less than 1% in 1968. By the end of the season of transformation, there was about 5% survival of young-of-the-year frogs of both species from the initial number of eggs deposited in river breeding sites.After the end of the first full year of life (1969), there was a minimal survival of 2.5% for R. aurora and 3.5% for R. pretiosa from the eggs laid the year before. By the end of 1969, there was a 52% survival of R. aurora and 67% of R. pretiosa which metamorphosed in 1968.For R. pretiosa adults, there was a 64% survival between 1968 and 1969; males suffered higher mortality than females. The survival of adult R. aurora was 69% between 1968 and 1969.Factors influencing mortality are discussed, and the conclusion is reached that predation (and chance climatic events for R. pretiosa embryos) on all life-history forms is the strongest factor limiting frog population numbers.

scholarly journals A new species of Tomopterna (Anura: Ranidae) from the Kruger National Park, with notes on related species

Koedoe ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. I. Passmore ◽  
V. C. Carruthers
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
The Other ◽  
Defence Mechanisms ◽  
Calling Behaviour ◽  
Mating Call ◽  
Mating Calls ◽  
New Form ◽  
A New Species

A new species of Tomoptema, T. krugerensis, sp. n., has been recorded from the Kruger National Park, Republic of South Africa.Morphologically it is very similar to T. delalandei cryptotis (Boulenger) but the mating call is markedly different from that of the other members of the genus and this is coupled with small but consistent morphological differences.T. krugerensis sp. n. is known to occur only on a portion of the western fringe of the vast sandveld areas of Mozambique, but possibly has a much wider distribution. Mating call, calling behaviour, eggs, early development and defence mechanisms are described. The affinities of the new form are discussed and the mating calls of other members of the genus are reviewed. Mating call is again shown to be a sensitive non-morphological taxonomic tool.

Studies in Australian amphibia II..Taxonomy, ecology and evolution of the genus Heleioporus Gray (Anura : Leptodactylidae)

1967 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
AK Lee
Keyword(s):  
Species Status ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Ephemeral Ponds ◽  
Mating Call ◽  
The Status ◽  
Water Courses ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Western Australian ◽  
Winter Rain

The status of the five existing species of the genus Heleioporus Gray, H. albopunctatus Gray, H. australiacus (Shaw), H. eyrei (Gray), H. inornatus Lee & Main, and H. psammophilus Lee & Main are confirmed on the basis of morphological and behavioural criteria and the results of interpopulation in vitro crosses. The Western Australian population, formerly included under H. australiacus, is raised to species status on the basis of consistent differences in morphology and mating call. Each species is redescribed, and descriptions of the larvae and juveniles are included. The results of in vitro crosses support the recognition of two species groups, a bassian group comprising H. australiacus, the H. australiacus-like frog, and H. inornatus, and an eyrean group comprising H. albopunctatus, H. eyrei, and H. psammophilus. The breeding biology of all of the western species appears closely tied to the Mediterranean climate of south-western Australia. All species breed in April and May. Rain sufficient to moisten the soil, and declining temperatures are the two most obvious environmental factors influencing the timing of breeding. Breeding sites include ephemeral ponds and water courses, and the edges of coastal lakes. Breeding occurs before these are covered by water, in winter. Males call from burrows, and copulation, oviposition, and embryonic development all occur at the bottom of these burrows. Where they occur together, the burrows of H. albopunctatus, H. eyrei, and H. psammophilus are found scattered through the centre of a swamp and those of H. inornatus, around the periphery. The eggs are laid in froth, and development to hatching takes between 1 and 3 weeks. Hatching may be delayed by withholding the eggs from water. The period between the onset of calling and hatching of the embryos roughly corresponds to the period between the onset of winter rain and the flooding of larval sites. The larvae of H. albopunctatus, H. eyrei, and H, psammophilus are found in ponds, those of H. inornatus in collapsed, flooded breeding burrows, and those of H. australiacus and the H. australiacus-like frog in creeks.

Mating call differences between diploid and tetraploid green toads (Bufo viridis complex) in Middle Asia

1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Stöck
Keyword(s):  
Water Temperature ◽  
Pulse Duration ◽  
Interval Duration ◽  
Premating Isolation ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Call Duration ◽  
Bufo Viridis ◽  
Fundamental Frequencies ◽  
Mating Call ◽  
Mating Calls

AbstractMating calls of diploid and tetraploid green toads (Bufo viridis complex) from Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan were investigated during the breeding periods in 1994 and 1995 across a range of temperatures from 9°C to 22°C. Interpulse interval duration, pulse duration and call duration were negatively correlated with water temperature. At any given temperature tetraploid toads exhibited longer pulses and interpulse intervals resulting in lower pulse rates than diploid toads. These differences reveal a potential premating isolation barrier and provide an additional argument to consider diploid and tetraploid green toads as separate species. Call duration did not differ significantly between diploid and tetraploid green toads. Fundamental frequencies lay in the same range in both diploid and tetraploid toads.

Comparative life history features of the western spotted frog, Rana pretiosa, from low- and high-elevation populations

1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (9) ◽  
pp. 1254-1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence E. Licht
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Female Fecundity ◽  
Size At Sexual Maturity ◽  
Rana Pretiosa

Comparisons are made of life history features of the western spotted frog, Rana pretiosa pretiosa, living at 70 m in southwestern British Columbia, and 2600 m in Yellowstone Park, Wyoming.Lowland tadpoles remain longer as larvae and transform at twice the body size as highland tadpoles.Growth rates of juveniles and adults are rapid in the lowland population and the same amount of growth achieved by them in 2–3 years takes 8–10 years for highland frogs.Body size at sexual maturity is the same for frogs from both populations, but B.C. frogs breed at half the age of Wyoming frogs. Female fecundity, the number of eggs at spawning, is the same, but lowland females breed annually, while high-elevation females breed only every 2 or 3 years.Various explanations are put forth to account for observed differences.

The role of the "encounter" call in spacing of Pacific tree frogs, Hyla regilla

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl L. Whitney
Keyword(s):  
Hyla Regilla ◽  
Mating Call ◽  
Mating Calls ◽  
Tree Frogs

When calling male Pacific tree frogs come closer together than about 50 cm, they switch from the mating call to the encounter call. After an exchange of encounter calls, one of the frogs may submit by retreating or ceasing to call, or they may fight, after which the loser submits. To investigate the role of the encounter call in maintaining spacing, I compared the responses of calling males lo playback of encounter calls and mating calls. During 60-s playbacks, most frogs responded initially to both vocalizations by uttering encounter calls, but they were more likely to respond further to encounter calls by either attacking or submitting. I suggest that the encounter call serves to reduce the amount of time that calling frogs remain close together and, as a consequence, to enhance their chances of attracting females.

Is there a dialect in Pelodytes punctatus from southern Portugal?

1992 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Paillette ◽  
M.E. Oliveira ◽  
E.G. Crespo ◽  
H.D. Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Pulse Rate ◽  
Mating Call ◽  
Rate Acceleration ◽  
Mating Calls ◽  
Southern Portugal

AbstractThe mating call of Pelodytes punctatus from Algarve (Southern Portugal) is composed of two multipulsed motives, "a" and "b", lasting about 200 ms. One "a" is followed by two, three or more "b"s giving a sucession of "a-b-b-...". The inner timing in pulse rate acceleration distinguishes each motive. We suggest that the Algarve population has its own dialect, which is different from those of Camargue and Liguria, whose mating calls are longer (about 300 and 400 ms) with a syntax of "a-b" pairs. Pulse rates and durations change with temperature.

scholarly journals Effect of temperature on life-history traits and mating calls of a field cricket, Acanthogryllus asiaticus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richa Singh ◽  
P Prathibha ◽  
Manjari Jain
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Sexual Communication ◽  
Peak Frequency ◽  
Field Cricket ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Developmental Temperature ◽  
Mating Call ◽  
Mating Calls

AbstractEctotherms are sensitive to the changes in ambient temperature with respect to their physiology and development. To compensate for the effects of variation in temperature, ectotherms exhibit physiological plasticity which can be for short or long term. An extensive body of literature exists towards understanding these effects and the solutions ectotherms have evolved. However, to what extent rearing temperature during early life stages impacts the behaviour expressed in adulthood is less clearly understood. In the present study, we aimed to examine the effect of developmental temperature on life-history traits and mating call features in a tropical field cricket, Acanthogryllus asiaticus. We raised A. asiaticus at two different developmental conditions: 25°C and 30°C. We found developmental time and adult lifespan of individuals reared at 30°C to be shorter than those at 25°C. Increased developmental temperature influenced various body size parameters differentially. Males raised at 30°C were found to be larger and heavier than those raised at 25°C, making A. asiaticus an exception to the temperature-size rule. We found a significant effect of the change in immediate ambient temperature on different call features of both field-caught and lab-bred individuals. In addition, developmental temperature also affected mating call features as individuals raised at higher temperature produced faster calls with a higher peak frequency compared to those raised at lower temperature. However, the interaction of both developmental and immediate temperature on mating calls showed differential effects. Our study highlights the importance of understanding how environmental temperature shapes life-history and sexual communication in crickets.

Multi-technique Geophysical Investigation of a Very Slow-moving Landslide near Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Huntley ◽  
Peter Bobrowsky ◽  
Michael Hendry ◽  
Renato Macciotta ◽  
Melvyn Best
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Retaining Wall ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Terrain Mapping ◽  
Geophysical Investigation ◽  
Wave Refraction ◽  
Natural Gamma ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Slow Moving

Landslides in the Thompson River valley, British Columbia have the potential to adversely impact vital national railway infrastructure and operations, the natural environment, cultural heritage features, communities, public safety and the economy. To better manage geohazard risks in the primary national transportation corridor, government agencies, universities and railway industry partners are focusing research efforts on the Ripley Landslide, 7 km south of Ashcroft. The internal composition and structure of this very slow-moving landslide as revealed by geophysical surveys and terrain mapping provides contextual baseline data for interpreting slope stability monitoring results and guiding geohazard mitigation efforts. Terrestrial and waterborne geophysical surveys were undertaken using subsets of the following methods: electrical resistivity tomography, frequency electromagnetic conductivity, ground penetrating radar, primary-wave refraction and multispectral analysis of shear-waves, natural gamma radiation, induction conductivity and magnetic susceptibility. Small and irregular anomalies, areas of complex subsurface geometry and groundwater-rich zones are resolved along all terrestrial geophysical survey lines. Terrain mapping and geophysical surveys indicate a high relief bedrock sub-surface overlain by a 10 m to >30 m thick package of complex fine-grained sediments containing groundwater. Planar sub-surface features revealed in surface exposures, borehole logs and geophysical profiles include tabular bedding and terrain unit contacts. Profiles also show discrete curvilinear features interpreted as rotational-translational failure planes in clay-rich beds in the main body of the slide beneath the rail ballast and retaining wall. Integrating data from surficial geology mapping and an array of geophysical methods provided significantly more information than any one technique on its own.

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