Meeting Abstract
Environmental variation during development can have profound, variable effects on an organism’s phenotype, fitness, and physiological attributes. With increasing environmental temperatures and higher frequency of extreme events, ectotherms across the globe are expected to experience thermal ranges and extreme heat events beyond their physiological capacity. Anurans have a dual life cycle, raising the question of whether detrimental environmental conditions experienced in the aquatic (larval) stage are carried over in the terrestrial stage, and whether the negative impacts on growth and survival in the larval stage are exacerbated by changes in temperature and moisture availability in the terrestrial realm. Few studies have considered carryover effects into the metamorph life stage, and fewer have assessed carryover effects throughout an entire annual cycle. This study is designed to evaluate the potential effects of pool permanency on two model amphibians, wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus), and American toads (Anaxyrus americanus). My specific objectives are: (1) Evaluate the impacts of pond drying periods on larval development and survival and locomotor performance (endurance) of metamorphs; (2) Evaluate carryover effects of variable pond drying conditions into the terrestrial stage on juvenile growth and survival; (3) Evaluate aquatic and early terrestrial carryover effects on post-overwintering survival and fitness. From initial findings, we have discovered significant variation in size at metamorphosis for wood frogs, but not for american toads and we are now monitoring the growth and survival of individuals in terrestrial enclosures. The biological and physiological insights from this work will help predict amphibian vulnerabilities to climate change of at-risk climate threatened species and inform future conservation strategies.
