alexanderprice's Journal
No amplexus seen, but frogs of both sexes sitting on white patches on bank. Incidentally netted during day and found area around white patches (that appear to have dissipated) have conglomerations of grosner low stage tadpoles. Evidence of parental protections?
suddenly noticed large school of juvenile catfish surface feeding in the ditch midchannel. they were sensitive to sound and were not attracted to bread
I dumped some insect bodies into the mesocosm tank and only the melanistic tadpoles were interested. But they are using their maxilae feelers to search around
Tadpoles are under attack by developing dragonfly nymphs. Most tails are torn, some eviscerations occurring. Some toadlets have feet missing. the nymphs let go and hide when picked up.
Looks like toads in the Corrales fishing pond. will need to wait a few weeks to check.
ants are foraging at night. also noticed a lot of mosquito mating activity, such as insects around plants leaves. they did not seem to be the Egyptie species the legs were straight and they stood horizontal. tried many times to get a picture, but the camera over exposed with the flash and couldn't focus on them
While idly shining a blue laser light on ants while looking for toads, I noticed they immediately returned to the nest if they had just exited and then had the light shone on them. There's a research project in there somewhere.
2 of the ten frogs have re-emerged. They seem to be about the same size as the went into brumation. I bet they are hungry, put in some ants.
I notice the largest frogs already prefer to be in the water, they also are far more active. This seems to be the same behavior they retain at mating time.
So, IF frogs are adapted to explosive breeding in the monsoon season, AND monsoon events are changing to 1/2 total rainfall falling in just 12 days, THEN this would mean frogs have to adapt from a long wet season such as the Argentine savannah. An ephemeral pool recharged with rain and run-off is different than an ephemeral pool drying out quickly. Explosive breeding is in two parts,- laying the eggs and growth of larvae. Temporary marshland is ideal habitat for larval growth, and that is under threat from encroachment as well as climate change.
