Effects of water temperature on breeding phenology, growth and timing of metamorphosis of foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii) on the mainstem and selected tributaries of California's Trinity River - 2004-2009.

Abstract

The cold temperatures maintained in the Trinity River are beneficial to fish but may be problematic for foothill yellow-legged frogs. We examined the timing of breeding, reproductive output, and growth and development of tadpoles for populations of foothill yellow-legged frogs on the mainstem and six tributaries of the Trinity River. On the colder mainstem, onset of egg laying occured later and reproductive output was low compared to tributaries. Furthermore, metamorphs from mainstem populations were smaller and leaner than those from tributaries.

Citation

Wheeler CA, Bettaso JB, Ashton DT, Welsh HH Jr. 2013. Effects of water temperature on breeding phenology, growth and timing of metamorphosis of foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii) on the mainstem and selected tributaries of California's Trinity River - 2004- 2009. Report to the Trinity River Restoration Program. U.S. Forest Service, Redwood Sciences Laboratory and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Arcata, California.