Short- and medium-term exposure to salinity alters response to predation, activity and spatial movements in tadpoles

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 212, P. 63 - 72

Published: April 27, 2024

Language: Английский

For salty toads, timing is everything

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 227(7)

Published: March 28, 2024

Rising sea levels, drought and land-use change increase salt levels in freshwater coastal environments. Maintaining an optimal amount of the body is crucial for animals but incredibly hard to do, particularly those adapted low-salt environments that suddenly face a rapid increase. Because their highly sensitive skin, toads, which reproduce develop fresh water, are often especially vulnerable salty water. Léa Lorrain-Soligon, from Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, France, collaborated with colleagues same institution Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux, investigate impacts water on toads (Bufo spinosus) across multiple life stages, egg laying through early tadpole development.It takes lot energy survive even used it, so scientists wondered whether dealing extra would drain toads' energy, leaving less available reproduce. To explore this, team captured breeding pairs male female set them up tanks containing high or low (freshwater) amounts salt. Then, they measured size number eggs laid two conditions. While regardless type, saltier ended much smaller eggs, indicating higher costs had, indeed, led lower-quality eggs.Next, wanted know larger translate into healthier, more robust tadpoles. They split batches (laid water) four groups: half were kept moved opposite type. Not surprisingly, left struggled. But there was catch: several healthier tadpoles grew better after hatching. Interestingly, could not be said then placed before Those likely hatch deformities than any other group. These results demonstrated exposure tough reproducing toads. Still, if can find way lay offspring have chance surviving.Once had hatched, researchers took young and, once again, leading eight different groups experienced various combinations throughout development. The how well under found entire lives best off – fastest bigger grown subsequently raised almost able catch freshwater-only group, presumably by boosting growth rate compensate size.These findings underscore significant challenge poses during critical stages. study's unique intricate design uncovered something remarkable: partially rebound when back Clearly, timing key factor impacting toad survival rates Results like these help us identify when, where affects animals, which, turn, tells intervene them.

Language: Английский

Salty Surprises: Developmental and behavioral responses to environmental salinity reveal higher tolerance of inland rather than coastal Bufo spinosus tadpoles

Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 264, P. 120401 - 120401

Published: Nov. 20, 2024

Language: Английский