Effects of Temporary Ponds on Metamorphosis and Development in the Farmland Green Tree Frog (Rhacophorus arvalis)

• Main Authors: Ching-Chun Chen, 陳清圳
• Other Authors: Kuang-Yang Lue
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/73jhra

碩士 === 靜宜大學 === 生態學研究所 === 93 === Abstract Farmland Green Tree Frog（Rhacophorus arvalis）belonging to the family Rhacophoridae is endemic to Taiwan. During the period of researching, it is found that the major habitat of Farmland Green Tree Frog is in the bamboo land. The ephemeral ponds in the bamboo land is largely from the rain and irrigating; however, most of the ponds are variable in the duration. Farmland Green Tree Frog often reproductive choice under the humid leaves. After oviposition to Metamorphosis tadpoles, they will live in the temporary nearby. Talking of the the metamorphosis, the key to success, depending on their initial depth of ponds and frequency of rainfall and irrigating. Duration of ponds I had found that three types:(1) 7 months type of ponds.(2) 6-24 days type of ponds.(3) 1-6 days type of ponds. Among these types, it is found that 6-24 days type of ponds is the best condition for the metamorphosis. This kind of ponds is usually the place where the water appears slowly in the bamboo land. It is also the place for a lot of the Farmland Green Tree Frog to appear. It is found that the leaves near the water are the appropriate place for the female Farmland Green Tree Frog to reproductive choice because we have found 83 foam nest there. If the success of the beginning metamorphosis is up to the liquefaction of the foam nest, I can find two factors which influence the success of liquefaction. First, the thickness of the leaves which cover the foam nest must be between 31-40mm. Second, the position of the foam nest must be less than 20cm. from the edge of the pond. Besides, the loose soil can help the foam nest become the shape of a bowl so that there will be a lot of water for the tadpoles to live. I have done an experiment on 8 conditions (including outdoors and indoors) to see if the quantity of water will affect the metamorphosis. As a result, it shows that the quantity of water will not affect the metamorphosis earlier. It is because that tadpoles would not become Froglets unless it reaches the wight of 0.05g (minimum). On the other hand, tadpoles will become Froglets as long as it reaches the wight of 0.31g (maximum) no matter how the environment changes. Besides, I find that it needs much time on metamorphosis in the outdoor experiment. For example, in the indoor experiment, froglets will appear after 22 days, and their former legs will appear after 25 days. Then, they become froglets (the 46th period) after 27 days. In the outdoor experiment; however, it has to cost 48 days to 180 days (the average is 64 days) for the tadpoles becoming froglets.