Meeting Abstract

1.4  Saturday, Jan. 4 08:45  The Effects of Environmental Temperature and Moisture on Temperature and Moisture Preferences in Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans) MITCHELL, A*; BERGMANN, P; Clark University; Clark University AlMitchell@clarku.edu

Environmental temperature and moisture play an integral role in determining body temperature and hydration state in amphibians. Amphibians try to select the environments with the optimal combination of temperature and moisture to perform tasks such as digestion and locomotion. The preferred temperature and moisture levels of amphibians under differing conditions can provide us with an understanding of how the interactive effects of the environmental temperature and moisture affect amphibians. This study assesses the influence of temperature and moisture interactions on green frog (Lithobates clamitans) environmental preferences by comparing data collected from manipulated thermal and moisture gradient experiments with data collected from the field. In general, frogs tended to select thermal and moisture conditions that minimize evaporative water loss through the skin. Under lab conditions, green frogs preferred wetter and colder environments when dehydrated, and only preferred warmer environments when they could meet moisture requirements. In the field, green frogs rarely strayed from standing bodies of water, even while basking, and did not experience dehydration below 95% of standard mass.