Variation in reproductive parameters of Rhinella arenarum (Hensel, 1867) (Anura: Bufonidae) between the reproductive and post-reproductive periods

• Autores: Quiroga, Lorena Beatriz; Sanabria, Eduardo Alfredo
• Año de publicación: 2012
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: Reproducción; Variación estacional; Rhinella arenarum
• Institución: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

We compared reproductive parameters of Rhinella arenarum in a wetland of the Monte in Argentina during reproductive and postreproductive seasons. Individuals were collected random monthly from November 2001 to October 2002. August through November was considered the reproductive period, and December through April was considered the postreproductive period. Of the 116 adults, 75 were males and 41 were females. The reproductive parameters measured included body mass; fat body mass, number of mature ova, ova size, and testicular volume. There were significant differences between the reproductive and postreproductive period in females for body mass, fat body mass, and number of mature ova. Likewise, males also had significant differences between these periods for body mass and fat body mass. Apparently, R. arenarum has an opportunistic and continuous reproductive strategy. Entering dormancy with large fat bodies and testes in apparent spermatogenesis allows males to reproduce immediately after emerging in the spring. Yet, females have mature but fewer ova during this period, which is a reproductive cycle shared by most temperate amphibians. Our data, and the primarily tropical distribution of R. arenarum, suggest that this species recently invaded the temperate region wherein males retained acyclic reproductive activity and females, owing to their higher reproductive costs, have evolved cyclic reproduction.
Fil: Quiroga, Lorena Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Área Ecología; Argentina
Fil: Sanabria, Eduardo Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; Argentina