SILT-INDUCED MORTALITY IN EMBRYOS OF THE WOOD FROG, RANA SYLVATICA

摘要

The wood frog, Rana sylvatica is an early spring breeding amphibian that frequently oviposits in ephemeral ponds and roadside ditches. Human dis- turbance often creates suitable breeding sites, but also exposes egg masses to silt, which may have a significant effect on the survivorship of embryos. The larval stage of development at which mortality occurred suggests that hypoxia is the causes of death.