Thermal acclimation of locomotor performance in anuran amphibians
Acclimation is the principal strategy employed by amphibians in coping with environmental temperature changes, yet acclimation has only rarely been shown to affect aspects of whole-organism function in amphibians. We examined the influence of a period of acclimation on the effect of temperature on locomotion in three anuran species. Giant toads, Bufo marinus, moved most quickly at 22 °C, and acclimation to that temperature further improved performance (inverse compensation). Leopard frogs, Ranapipiens, also moved most quickly at 22 °C, but acclimation to 12 °C improved locomotor performance at that temperature (positive compensation). Clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis, in contrast, moved most quickly at 12 °C and acclimation did not affect locomotor performance in this species (no compensation). Thus, while acclimation clearly affects locomotor performance in some anuran species, the direction of change differs among them.