Assessing quality of clearcut habitats for amphibians: Effects on abundances versus vital rates in the southern toad (Bufo terrestris)

2006 ◽  
Vol 133 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian D. Todd ◽  
Betsie B. Rothermel
Keyword(s):  
Vital Rates ◽  
Bufo Terrestris ◽  
Toad Bufo

Amplexus Displacement in the Southern Toad, Bufo terrestris

Copeia ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 1984 (4) ◽  
pp. 1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trip Lamb
Keyword(s):  
Bufo Terrestris ◽  
Toad Bufo

Effects of individual variation in age and size at metamorphosis on growth and survivorship of southern toad (Bufo terrestris) metamorphs

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 944-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher W Beck ◽  
Justin D Congdon
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Bufo Terrestris ◽  
Size At Metamorphosis ◽  
Total Growth ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Toad Bufo ◽  
Positive Effect

We conducted two experiments with the southern toad (Bufo terrestris) to examine whether individual variation in (i) metamorph body size and metabolic rate and (ii) age and size at metamorphosis were related to differences in survivorship or growth rate of postmetamorphic individuals. Results from the first experiment indicated that neither initial body size nor metabolic rate was related to survivorship or growth. Results from the second experiment showed that (i) size at metamorphosis was positively correlated with survivorship to first census (after 2 weeks), (ii) age and size at metamorphosis had no significant effect on survivorship from first to second census (after 2 months), (iii) size at metamorphosis had a marginally significant positive effect on survivorship from metamorphosis to second census, and (iv) age and size at metamorphosis were not significantly correlated with total growth. Our results suggest that in the southern toad, size at metamorphosis may lead to early differences in survival, size, and growth that later disappear. Furthermore, early differences in growth and survival attributable to size at metamorphosis are not due to size-related differences in metabolic rate. Therefore, although age and size at metamorphosis affect metabolic rate, they may not be related to fitness via effects on postmetamorphic survival and growth.

Frequency of exogenous hormone therapy impacts spermiation in male Fowler’s toad (Bufo fowleri)

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin E. McDonough ◽  
Michelle W. Martin ◽  
Carrie K. Vance ◽  
Judith A. Cole ◽  
Andrew J. Kouba
Keyword(s):  
Hormone Therapy ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Progressive Movement ◽  
Bufo Fowleri ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Fowler's Toad ◽  
Toad Bufo

Amphibians are experiencing a global extinction crisis and captive assurance colonies, along with reintroduction programs, are necessary to prevent further losses. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as hormone-stimulated gamete collection and in vitro fertlisation (IVF), are conservation methods that can be used to increase reproductive output for breeding and reintroduction programs when animals fail to breed naturally. In order to maximise the production of offspring using ART, it is important to establish the physiological limitations on the frequency that hormone therapy can be used to collect gametes for IVF or assisted breeding. The present study examined the effects of the frequency of hormone-induced spermiation on sperm quantity and quality in Fowler’s toad (Bufo fowleri) by comparing four levels of hormone injection frequencies: twice a week, once a week, every other week, and every 3 weeks. Sperm release was induced with an intraperitoneal injection of 300 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Spermatozoa were collected at three time points after injection (5, 7 and 9 h) and sperm concentration, motility and quality of forward progressive movement were measured. A significant decrease in sperm concentration (P < 0.01) was observed with the most frequent treatment (twice a week hormone injections). However, there was no negative effect of the treatments on sperm motility (P = 0.06) or forward movement (P = 0.06). We also observed a significant decrease in the concentration (P < 0.01), motility (P = 0.02) and quality of forward progressive movement (P = 0.01) of spermatozoa at the 9 h collection compared with earlier collection times. These results have clear implications for amphibian captive breeding programs, where more frequent hormone-induced spermiation could have a negative effect on male performance. We recommend that hormone injections be spaced a minimum of 2 weeks apart to optimise the health of the animals, assisted breeding, IVF or collection of gametes for genome resource banking.

Energetics of metamorphic climax in the southern toad ( Bufo terrestris )

Oecologia ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 137 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher W. Beck ◽  
Justin D. Congdon
Keyword(s):  
Bufo Terrestris ◽  
Metamorphic Climax ◽  
Toad Bufo
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