Effects of Temperature on the Development of the Wood Frog, Rana sylvatica

• Jessica Darrow

  Juniata College

  Author

• Andrea Nulton

  Juniata College

  Author

• Danielle Pompili

  Juniata College

  Author

Eggs of the wood frog Rana sylvatica were collected from a temporary pond and placed into three controlled chambers with temperatures of 9 C, 21C and 26 C. As a control, eggs were also placed in an outside container with an average temperature of 11.2oC. The eggs remained in the four containers for 21 days. Their development was regularly monitored and their average size and hatching time recorded. Significant differences were found in the growth rates of the frogs placed at the different temperatures when compared to the control, with the frogs placed in the cooler temperature having a slower growth rate, and the frogs placed in the warmer temperatures having a faster growth rate than the control. There were also noticeable differences in hatching time between the four temperatures. These data suggest that temperature does play a role in the development of the wood frog.

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