Pre-hatching exposure to water mold reduces size at metamorphosis in the moor frog.

Journal article

Developmental plasticity is increasingly recognized as important for ecological and evolutionary processes. However, few studies consider the potential for delayed effects of early environments. Here, we show that tadpoles hatching from clutches exposed to water mold (Saprolegnia) have 20% decreased mass at metamorphosis, despite no further exposure subsequent to hatching. The effects were consistent across four populations that have previously been shown to vary in their resistance to infect...

Expand abstract

Authors: Uller, T; Sagvik, J; Olsson, M

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Oecologia
• Volume: 160
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 9-14
• Publication date: 2009-05-01
• DOI: 10.1007/s00442-009-1280-6
• EISSN: 1432-1939
• ISSN: 0029-8549
• Language: English
• Keywords: Body Size; Larva; Sweden; Female; Oomycetes; Animals; Male; Anura; Metamorphosis, Biological