Meeting Abstract
Early ontogenetic stages can have lasting effects on future stages. It is important to quantify the magnitude and nature of carry-over effects within a species before making broad generalizations among species. We examined how experimental pond drying affected post-metamorphic morphology, physiology, and performance in wood frogs, Lithobates sylvatica. In addition, we tested if populations differed in their response to pond drying. Initial mass, limb-length, snout-vent length, and resting metabolic rate were measured on newly metamorphed frogs. Juveniles were then reared with ad-libitum food for 7 weeks to measure growth rate. Larval treatment induced differences in limb length with individuals in the drying treatment having longer limbs upon completion of metamorphosis. Postmetamorphic frogs differed by population in initial mass, snout-vent length, jumping performance, swimming performance, resting metabolic rate, and growth rate. Our study suggests that population, and not larval conditions, has a greater influence on the post-metamorphic phenotype and performance. Furthermore, despite population level differences, our study suggests that populations respond similarly to larval rearing conditions.
