CLUTCH SIZE, EGG SURVIVAL AND MIGRATION DISTANCE IN THE AGILE FROG (RANA-DALMATINA) IN A FLOODPLAIN

Authors
Citation
A. Ponsero et P. Joly, CLUTCH SIZE, EGG SURVIVAL AND MIGRATION DISTANCE IN THE AGILE FROG (RANA-DALMATINA) IN A FLOODPLAIN, Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 142(3), 1998, pp. 343-352
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Marine & Freshwater Biology",Limnology
Journal title
ISSN journal
00039136
Volume
142
Issue
3
Year of publication
1998
Pages
343 - 352
Database
ISI
SICI code
0003-9136(1998)142:3<343:CSESAM>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
In animals with complex life cycles, the cost of migration among habit ats has to be balanced by optimization of growth and survival within e ach Life-stage habitat. In this context, migration distance is expecte d to depend on local density and movement potential. In ectotherm spec ies, because movement potential is related to body size, larger indivi duals are expected to cover longer distances than smaller individuals thus avoiding competition. This hypothesis was investigated in the agi le frog (Rana dalmatina). For breeding, this species migrates from und ergrowth towards ponds located in open environments. Most egg batches were found in sites located 50-100 m from the forest edge. Batches fro m larger frogs were more numerous at greater distances, as far as 300 m from the forest edge thus confirming the hypothesis. These results m ust be taken into account for the conservation of this endangered spec ies.