若尔盖湿地高原林蛙和岷山蟾蜍的日活动节律

2005年调查若尔盖湿地的高原林蛙（Rana kukunoris）和岷山蟾蜍（Bufo minshanicus）的日活动节律,发现阳光充足时两栖类的活动性明显高于多云天气;高原林蛙成体、亚成体、岷山蟾蜍亚成体活动的最低气温为0℃、2℃、8℃;高原林蛙亚成体日活动高峰为中午12：30左右,岷山蟾蜍亚成体日活动高峰为下午15：30左右;高原林蛙亚成体在草地、林地、河边均有一定数量个体活动,岷山蟾蜍亚成体主要集中在河边活动。在若尔盖地区,两栖类可能主要是采用晒太阳（basking）的行为来适应高海拔环境;高原林蛙成体对温度的耐受性比亚成体高,亚成体比岷山蟾蜍亚成体高;高原林蛙与岷山蟾蜍的亚成体在活动时间与活动生境上存在差异,可能是减少种间竞争的途径之一。     

长白山两栖类繁殖期路域水生境选择性分析

2012—2014年,在长白山自然保护区道路上选取3条长10 km的样带,样带两侧出现的每个水体为小样方,测量水体类型、郁闭度、水体面积、水体深度、水质、集水池形状、离道路距离、集水池形成时间等8个生境因子,对中国林蛙Rana chensinensis、极北鲵Salamandrella keyserlingii和中华大蟾蜍Bufo gargarizans繁殖期的生境选择进行了研究。结果表明:(1)中国林蛙对排水沟和水塘2种类型的选择不具有统计学意义(P>0.05),极北鲵对水塘的选择极显著高于排水沟(P≤0.01),而中华大蟾蜍则显著选择水塘。(2)极北鲵选择大于120 m2的集水池,中华大蟾蜍在120~180 m2的集水池出现率高。(3)极北鲵对水体深度选择具有高度统计学意义(P≤0.01),而中国林蛙对水体深度的选择不具有统计学意义(P>0.05),中华大蟾蜍产卵主要选择在水体深度80 cm以上的集水池,(4)中国林蛙和中华大蟾蜍对集水池离道路距离的选择不具有统计学意义,极北鲵对离道路不同距离的集水池的选择有高度统计学意义。     

若尔盖湿地国家自然保护区三种无尾两栖类夏秋季生境选择

2004年8—9月在若尔盖湿地国家自然保护区采用样方法对高原林蛙(Ranakukunoris)、倭蛙(Nanoranapleskei)和岷山蟾蜍(Bufominshanicus)的生境选择性进行了研究。先设置16个50m×50m的样地,再在每个样地内分25个10m×10m的样方,测量每个样方中的12个生境因子(牧场性质、草本高度、草本盖度、牛粪数量、鼠兔洞口数量、鼢鼠土堆数量、地表温度、地表湿度、土壤温度、离小型水体距离、离大型水体距离、离道路距离)。结果表明:这3种两栖类均偏好离溪流、水塘等小型水体距离较近(≤100m)、离河流、湖泊等大型水体距离较远(>1000m)、适度放牧(牛粪数量1~20)以及无鼠兔(Ochotonasp·)洞口的生境。通过比较,发现高原林蛙和倭蛙显著选择夏牧场、草本高度5·1~10·0cm、离小型水体0~50m的生境,显著不选择鼢鼠土堆太多(>10)的生境;岷山蟾蜍对牧场性质、离道路距离无显著选择性,显著选择草本高度>20·0cm、离小型水体51~100m的生境,不选择无鼢鼠土堆的生境;高原林蛙显著选择离道路>50m的生境;倭蛙显著选择离道路0~50m的生境。3种两栖类在生境选择上产生了一定的分离,表明各自有着特殊的生境需求。判别分析表明,牧场性质、草本高度、地表湿度、土壤温度、鼢鼠土堆数量、离大或小型水体距离、离道路距离是区别3种两栖类生境选择的重要参数。     

若尔盖湿地国家级自然保护区三种无尾两栖类陆地核心生境

若尔盖湿地国家级自然保护区地处青藏高原东缘,该地区分布有3种两栖类:高原林蛙(Ranakukunoris)、倭蛙(Naroranapleskei)和岷山蟾蜍(Bufominshanica),均为青藏高原特有种。研究在保护区内设定了16个50m×50m的样地(每个样格分为25个10m×10m样格),对每个样格中3种两栖类及环境因子进行了调查。根据3种两栖类分布点距离水体的最远距离初步确定若尔盖保护区高原林蛙(Ranakukunoris)、倭蛙(Naroranapleskei)和岷山蟾蜍(Bufominshanica)的陆地核心生境半径分别为:1000m、55m和580m。由于过大的陆地核心生境在实际保护工作中存在操作上的困难,因此本文提出最小陆地核心生境的概念:在某一季节,不同性别和生活史阶段的某种动物的90%个体完成该季节正常生命活动所通过或者利用的陆地。由此概念,根据高原林蛙90%的雌体、雄体和幼体分布确定其最小陆地核心生境半径为51m。最后通过最优化理论对高原林蛙和岷山蟾蜍分布格局与水体距离、草本层盖度、两栖类密度之间的作用机制进行了探讨,并指出陆地核心生境的范围与其所在生境景观及本种和其他动物种群状况有密切关系。     

黑龙江省完达山东部林区东北虎猎物生物量

研究一个地区猎物种群生物量能否满足捕食动物种群数量的需求,这对于了解濒危大型食肉动物是否受到来自于食物缺乏的威胁和制定相应的保护措施极其重要。为了掌握黑龙江省完达山东部林区东北虎食物需求与猎物生物量之间的关系,于2008年冬季至2009早春积雪覆盖期采用随机布设样线,通过收集有蹄类动物在雪地上留下的足迹等活动的方法,在东方红林业局和迎春林业局管辖境内3 692.06 km²的区域布设大样方48个,并在大样方里共布设样线240条开展有蹄类动物种群数量调查,确定东北虎猎物生物量。调查结果表明:研究地区野猪(成体502 606只,亚成体209 210只)、马鹿(成体331 357只,亚成体67 72只)和狍子(成体810 815只,亚成体202 203只)的生物量分别为74 767.50 87 825.00 kg、79 744.50 85 984.50 kg 和 31 337.00 31 525.50 kg,3种有蹄类动物生物量共计1 85 849.00 205 335.00 kg。研究地区猎物总生物量为209 619.89 231 598.24 kg。如果按8%的生物提供给东北虎,3种主要猎物生物量可满足5.22 6.92只东北虎个体的食物需求,研究地区猎物总生物量则可满足5.89 7.81只东北虎个体的食物需求。此外,对足迹遇见率与抽样强度、抽样强度与足迹遇见率的均值标准误差之间关系的分析表明,在完达山东部林区布设120条样线(抽样距离600 km)、150条样线(抽样距离750 km)和115条样线(抽样距离675 km)能满足野猪、马鹿、狍子种群数量调查准确性的最低需求。     

若尔盖高寒湿地高原林蛙繁殖后期运动、家域和微生境选择

我们于2006年7月对分布于青藏高原东部若尔盖高寒湿地的7只高原林蛙(Rana kukunoris)进行了追踪研究。Monte-Carlo模拟表明:在研究期内高原林蛙的运动是随机的,还没有开始迁移。高原林蛙的平均运动距离为7.1m,雌雄运动距离没有差异。95%和50%Kernel家域分别为796.2m2±704.0m2和119.9m2±94.6m2,MCP家域为157.9m2±119.5m2。雌雄高原林蛙生境选择存在差异,雄性倾向于在洞穴较多的生境中运动和隐蔽,而雌性倾向于在草丛中运动和藏匿;早晨高原林蛙选择地面温度较高、相对湿度较大的微生境活动,雌雄活动点的空气温度、相对湿度和植被高度没有显著差异。追踪个体的微生境利用表明:高原林蛙和哺乳类洞穴具有很强的相关性。     

圈养鳄蜥放归初期的活动监测

2006年5月至9月,陆续将圈养的3雄1雌1亚成体健康鳄蜥（Shinisaurus crocodilurus）放归到广西大瑶山自然保护区。运用一套监测系统监视其活动路线、区域、选择的洞穴、摄食等情况,每天22：00后根据当天录像对其活动距离进行测量。结果表明：3个个体一直在放归地生活;个体日活动距离与其选择隐蔽所、进食相关,并与温度非常显著的相关（r=0．352,P〈0．01）,个体间活动距离差异不显著（F=1.028,P〉0.05）;在同一回水塘活动的个体,其活动区域重叠大,区域大小与回水塘面积、树枝位置及周围隐蔽条件有关。     

基于人工掩蔽物法的若尔盖湿地中华蟾蜍种群生态研究

近几十年来,全球两栖动物种群衰减显著,两栖动物的生存现状引起了越来越多的生态学家和保护生物学家的关注。若尔盖湿地不仅是世界上最大的一块高原泥炭沼泽湿地,也是我国生物多样性保护的热点地区之一。该地区分布有3种两栖类:高原林蛙(Rana kukunoris)、倭蛙(Narorana pleskei)和中华蟾蜍岷山亚种(Bufo gargarizans minshanica)。已有研究发现该3种两栖动物种群数量均有不同程度的下降。采用人工掩蔽物法,在2011—2014年对该地区中华蟾蜍种群生态做了连续追踪。结果表明:该区域中华蟾蜍种群数量逐年波动较大,年龄结构数据显示该种群处于增长期;中华蟾蜍为聚集分布,且发现率与水体距离呈显著的线形关系(P0.01),在样地范围内离水体越远,发现的个体越多;线形样方比方形样方捕获动物的效率更高(P=0.018);中华蟾蜍亚成体的肥满度季节间无明显差异;中华蟾蜍具有较强的迁徙能力,可能沿着固定的线路周而复始的迁徙。对于家域范围大,迁徙距离远的中华蟾蜍这类物种,应加强最适栖息地的保护并防止栖息地破碎化。     

基于4个线粒体基因的不同海拔高原林蛙群体遗传多样性研究

高原林蛙Rana kukunoris是中国特有的两栖动物,分布于青藏高原海拔2 000～4 400 m的湿润环境。为探究青藏高原的高原林蛙遗传多样性,将4个线粒体基因（COⅠ、cyt b、12S rRNA和16S rRNA）序列合并成联合数据集,对采自青海省4个海拔梯度（2 000 m、2 600 m、3 200 m和3 800 m）的100只高原林蛙个体进行测序分析。结果表明,2 000 m和2 600 m的高原林蛙群体的多态位点、单倍型多样性、核苷酸多样性和平均核苷酸差异数高于3 200 m和3 800 m群体;4个群体均出现了高单倍型多样性、低核苷酸多样性的结果。高原林蛙遗传分化主要发生在群体间,中性检验和错配分析表明,高原林蛙群体可能没有经历扩张事件。cyt b基因在2 600 m、3 200 m和3 800 m群体都检测到了正选择位点。综上所述,2 000 m和2 600 m的高原林蛙群体遗传多样性高于3 200 m和3 800 m群体,4个海拔群体的遗传分化程度较高;cyt b基因可能对高原林蛙适应高海拔环境起到了积极作用。本研究可为理解高原林蛙适应高原环境及其保护提供参考...     

甘肃盐池湾黑颈鹤亚成体夏季生境选择

开展对亚成体的研究,可以更加全面了解一个物种,进而更有效地开展保护工作。甘肃盐池湾国家级自然保护区是黑颈鹤（Grus nigricollis）成体的重要繁殖地和亚成体的重要栖息地之一。为研究甘肃盐池湾黑颈鹤亚成体生境选择,于2020年7月初至8月中旬在盐池湾党河湿地展开调查,并依据Johnson对生境选择空间尺度的划分,对亚成体活动区内各类型生境和觅食微生境的生境选择进行了研究。通过遥感影像解译和卫星跟踪分别获得各栖息地类型面积以及黑颈鹤的活动位点,利用核密度分析法估计活动区面积并利用Manly研究中的设计Ⅲ来研究活动区内各类型生境选择;通过选取利用样方和对照样方,使用χ2检验、独立样本t检验和Mann-Whitney U检验,对比检验样方数据,进行微生境选择的研究。结果表明,活动区内各类型生境中亚成体选择河流,拒绝戈壁和沼泽化草甸,对沼泽既不选择也不拒绝,而成体选择湖泊,没有利用河流,同时拒绝戈壁、山脉、沼泽化草甸和盐化草甸,对沼泽既不选择也不拒绝;觅食微生境选择中,亚成体选择平均植被盖度为57.07% ± 4.53%,基质类型为泥炭,基质硬度为中,主要植被黑褐苔草（Carex atrofusca）的微生境栖息,相比成体,亚成体选择的生境基质更硬,距道路距离更近,距房屋、河流、山脉和湖泊距离更远。亚成体的栖息地选择主要受到生境质量、生境资源有限性以及成体选择等因素的影响。在这些因素的影响下,亚成体与成体产生了生态位分离,并在栖息地选择上出现了分化。这种分化对亚成体的生存和成体的繁殖都有益,可以避免种内无效的冲突和竞争,有利于亚成体和成体的适合度增加。保护黑颈鹤的栖息环境需同时考虑到亚成体的选择和生存。     

The role of habitat in structuring Halipegus occidualis metapopulations in the green frog

The transmission dynamics of the trematode Halipegus occidualis in its definitive host, Rana clamitans, have been examined over a 5-yr period in a North Carolina pond. The breeding season of green frogs coincides with the period of worm recruitment, during which time male frogs are territorial and females show strong site fidelity. This site fidelity allows inferences to be made regarding the suitability of a particular habitat for worm transmission based on frog infection intensities within that habitat. Four foci of infection were identified in the pond by plotting worm infrapopulation size against site of host capture. Sites within infection foci are characterized by shallow water and emergent vegetation, factors favorable for overlapping distributions of the 4 hosts in the life cycle of H. occidualis. Consistent year-to-year worm prevalences and intensities, despite fluctuations in frog population size, are thought to be the result of a relatively constant proportion of the frog population being present in infection foci each year. Removal of worms from heavily infected frogs in the fifth year resulted in further heavy worm recruitment by treated frogs suggesting that site selection can predispose a frog to heavy infection. Further, the sum of removed parasites and those recruited after parasite removal by treated frog hosts was higher than worm infrapopulations observed in previous years, indicating that worm density regulates parasite infrapopulation size in heavily infected frogs.     

Effects of terrestrial buffer zones on amphibians on golf courses

A major cause of amphibian declines worldwide is habitat destruction or alteration. Public green spaces, such as golf courses and parks, could serve as safe havens to curb the effects of habitat loss if managed in ways to bolster local amphibian communities. We reared larval Blanchard's cricket frogs (Acris blanchardi) and green frogs (Rana clamitans) in golf course ponds with and without 1 m terrestrial buffer zones, and released marked cricket frog metamorphs at the golf course ponds they were reared in. Larval survival of both species was affected by the presence of a buffer zone, with increased survival for cricket frogs and decreased survival for green frogs when reared in ponds with buffer zones. No marked cricket frog juveniles were recovered at any golf course pond in the following year, suggesting that most animals died or migrated. In a separate study, we released cricket frogs in a terrestrial pen and allowed them to choose between mown and unmown grass. Cricket frogs had a greater probability of using unmown versus mown grass. Our results suggest that incorporating buffer zones around ponds can offer suitable habitat for some amphibian species and can improve the quality of the aquatic environment for some sensitive local amphibians.     

Obligate crayfish burrow use and core habitat requirements of crawfish frogs

Crawfish frogs (Lithobates areolatus) have experienced declines across large portions of their former range. These declines are out of proportion to syntopic wetland-breeding amphibian species, suggesting losses are resulting from unfavorable aspects of non-breeding upland habitat. Crawfish frogs get their common name from their affinity for crayfish burrows, although the strength of this relationship has never been formally assessed. We used radiotelemetry to address 4 questions related to upland burrow dwelling in crawfish frogs: 1) what burrow types are used and how do they function to affect crawfish frog survivorship; 2) what are the physical characteristics and habitat associations of crawfish frog burrows; 3) what are the home range sizes of crawfish frogs when burrow dwelling; and 4) where are crawfish frog burrows situated with respect to breeding wetlands? We tracked crawfish frogs to 34 burrows, discovered another 7 occupied burrows, and therefore report on 41 burrows. Crawfish frogs exclusively occupied crayfish burrows as primary burrows, which they inhabited for an average of 10.5 months of the year. With one exception, crawfish frogs also used crayfish burrows as secondary burrows—temporary retreats occupied while exhibiting breeding migrations or ranging forays. Burrows were exclusively located in grassland habitats, although crawfish frogs migrated through narrow woodlands and across gravel roads to reach distant grassland primary burrow sites. Home range estimates while inhabiting burrows were 0.05 m² (the area of the burrow entrance plus the associated feeding platform) or 0.01 m³ (the estimated volume of their burrow). Crawfish frog burrows were located at distances up to 1,020 m from their breeding wetlands. To protect crawfish frog populations, we recommend a buffer (core habitat plus terrestrial buffer) of at least 1.2 km around each breeding wetland. Within this buffer, at least 3 critical habitat elements must be present: 1) extensive grasslands maintained by prescribed burning and/or logging, 2) an adequate number of upland crayfish burrows, and 3) no soil disturbance of the sort that would destroy crayfish burrow integrity. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.     

Habitat-mediated impact of alien mink predation on common frog densities in the outer archipelago of the Baltic Sea

Alien predators have been recognised as one possible cause for amphibian declines around the world, but little is known of habitat-mediated predation impacts especially on adult amphibians. We studied common frog Rana temporaria under American mink Mustela vison predation in the outer archipelago of the Baltic Sea, south-western Finland. Using egg batches as an index of breeding frog female numbers we compared frog numbers and densities between a large, long-term mink-removal area and a comparable control area. Frog numbers in the removal area were at least 2.7-fold higher than those in the control area. In the presence of mink, frog densities increased with the amount of vegetation cover on the islands, indicating that mink predation affected frog densities especially on less-vegetated islands. An opposite trend appeared to be true for frogs in the mink-removal area, where other predators like snakes could induce a decline of frog densities on more vegetated islands. Shrub or grass vegetation seems to provide frogs shelter against alien mink predation. Our result highlights the importance of landscape-level habitat management as a conservation tool for amphibian populations.     

Green Frogs Show Reduced Foraging Success in Habitats Invaded by Japanese knotweed

Habitat loss is causing amphibian population declines worldwide, so there is increased attention to forces that degrade remaining habitats. Terrestrial habitats surrounding wetlands are critical foraging areas for temperate anurans. We investigated plant community changes in two old fields invaded by Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and the foraging success of Green frogs (Rana clamitans) in invaded and non-invaded portions of those fields. Within each field, vegetation data were recorded in quadrats located along two transects bisecting the invasion fronts. We placed frogs in ‘foraging buckets’ along transects and measured their change in mass over a 38 h period. There were significant changes in vegetation structure and composition associated with Japanese knotweed invasion. Diverse assemblages of native plants that covered non-invaded plots were absent from areas invaded by Japanese knotweed. There was also a significant change in vegetation architecture between invaded and non-invaded habitats. Change in frog mass declined significantly along transects, with most frogs in non-invaded plots gaining mass and no frogs in invaded plots gaining mass. Most frogs from non-invaded plots but only two from invaded plots defecated shortly after removal from foraging buckets (verification of recent feeding). We hypothesize that Japanese knotweed invasions degrade terrestrial habitat quality for frogs by indirectly reducing arthropod abundance. Nonnative plant invasions may be another factor contributing to amphibian population declines.     

Trophic relationships of common frog (Rana temporaria) and pigmy shrew (Sorex minutus) in upland Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland

The common frog and the pigmy shrew are common vertebrate predators in the uplands of Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. This report concerns their habitat preference and trophic biology which are poorly documented at higher altitudes. Frogs preferred damp, grassy, reclaimed habitats while pigmy shrews appeared to favour moorland dominated by Calluna vulgaris. Both frogs and shrews were absent from pitfall trap collections from December to February and numbers of both were low until late spring. This corresponded to the period of lowest invertebrate abundance. Examination of stomach contents suggests that frogs are less selective feeders and utilize a greater diversity of prey items than pigmy shrews. Although sample size is low early in the year, diversity of the diet of pigmy shrews apparently increased from the first to the second quarter and again in the third quarter of the year. This led to an increase in food niche overlap with frogs in late summer but at a time of year when food supply was greatest. It is unlikely, therefore, that dietary overlap constitutes a basis for interspecific competition between frogs and shrews. This is likely to be ameliorated by habitat and behavioural differences between the two predators.     

Seasonal changes in frequency tuning and temporal processing in single neurons in the frog auditory midbrain

Frogs rely on acoustic signaling to detect, discriminate, and localize mates. In the temperate zone, reproduction occurs in the spring, when frogs emerge from hibernation and engage in acoustically guided behaviors. In response to the species mating call, males typically show evoked vocal responses or other territorial behaviors, and females show phonotactic responses. Because of their strong seasonal behavior, it is possible that the frog auditory system also displays seasonal variation, as evidenced in their vocal control system. This hypothesis was tested in male Northern leopard frogs by evaluating the response characteristics of single neurons in the torus semicircularis (TS; a homolog of the inferior colliculus) to a synthetic mating call at different times of the year. We found that TS neurons displayed a seasonal change in frequency tuning and temporal properties. Frequency tuning shifted from a predominance of TS units sensitive to intermediate frequencies (700-1200 Hz) in the winter, to low frequencies (100-600 Hz) in the summer. In winter and early spring, most TS neurons showed poor, or weak, time locking to the envelope of the amplitude-modulated synthetic call, whereas in late spring and early summer the majority of TS neurons showed robust time-locked responses. These seasonal differences indicate that neural coding by auditory midbrain neurons in the Northern leopard frog is subject to seasonal fluctuation.     

Genetic detection of multiple exotic water frog species in Belgium illustrates the need for monitoring and immediate action

The recent genetic screening of water frogs (genus Pelophylax) in Belgium has shown that the invasion of two water frog species from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region, P. ridibundus and P. cf. bedriagae is widespread. Possibly other exotic water frogs are invading and establishing themselves through commercial trade. We used a genetic identification approach to rapidly detect and identify morphologically cryptic exotic water frog species in a large number of populations throughout the northern part of Belgium. Among a total of 944 individuals, we found 506 non-indigenous specimens, seven of which belonged to species not recorded before with certainty in Belgium or neighbouring regions in the wild. One of them was identified genetically as the Iberian green frog (P. perezi), but was most likely a P. perezi × P. esculentus hybrid. Six individuals of the Levantine frog (P. bedriagae) were found in a pond in the vicinity of a pet shop where the species is sold. All other exotic frogs belonged to four different haplotypes of P. ridibundus, established in Belgium since c. 1970, and two haplotypes of P. cf. bedriagae, a poorly-known eastern Mediterranean sister species of the latter. Overall, our study underscores the extent of exotic water frog invasions associated with the pet trade. Although two of the exotic species were recorded in small numbers, their early detection is essential with regards to adequate control and eradication of invasive species.     

低温胁迫下虎纹蛙的生存力及免疫和抗氧化能力

全球气候变化是造成世界范围内两栖类种群衰退和灭绝的重要因素之一。随着极端天气出现变得日趋频繁,非季节性的、短期且剧烈的气温变化可能会严重干扰两栖类动物的生存与种群稳定。监测了浙江省金华市南山野生虎纹蛙(Hoplobatrachus rugulosus)分布区冬季的环境气温,并参考监测数据在实验室条件下研究了虎纹蛙在短期梯度降温(2℃/24 h)和急性冷暴露(即冷休克)(2℃)下的生存力及冷休克对机体免疫功能和抗氧化能力的影响。结果表明,虎纹蛙在冬季(2009-12-01—2010-03-31)经历的温度范围普遍在0—14℃之间,主要遭遇的低温区间在0—4℃,主要高温区间在10—14℃。通过梯度降温实验,发现温度降至12℃累积死亡率约为28.1%,10℃为87.5%,8℃为100%。在一定温度范围内,虎纹蛙死亡率与环境温度呈显著负相关(Pearson test,r=-0.952,P<0.05)。经曲线拟合,回归方程计算可得半数致死温度为11.5℃。虎纹蛙在冷休克处理下,在第6 h累积死亡率为45%,12 h为80%,24 h达到100%。虎纹蛙死亡率与冷休克时间呈显著正相关(Pearson test,r=0.91,P<0.05),半数致死时间为7.6 h。此外,冷休克(2℃,6 h)显著抑制了虎纹蛙脾脏巨噬细胞呼吸爆发强度(t=3.827,df=6,P<0.05)、全血吞噬活性(t=5.388,df=3.037,P<0.05)及胃溶菌酶活力(t=6.37,df=6,P<0.05);肝脏(t=0.773,df=8,P>0.05)和肾脏(t=0.164,df=4.542,P>0.05)组织脂质过氧化物产物丙二醛(MDA)的含量虽无明显变化,但肝脏(t=-2.817,df=6,P<0.05)和肾脏(t=-11.302,df=6,P<0.05)组织抗氧化物谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量及肝脏(t=-3.3,df=6,P<0.05)超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性均显著升高。上述结果表明虎纹蛙对低温较为敏感,冷休克能够诱导机体的免疫抑制,并导致机体对抗氧化物质需求的增加。可以推测,当遭遇极端低温天气时,低温胁迫可能会严重干扰虎纹蛙生理机能,加大种群的生存压力和疾病感染的风险。     

Is there a seasonal variation in mucus transport and nutrient absorption in the leopard frog?

We postulated that as a hibernating species, frogs might have variable demands for nutrients at different seasons of the year and that this must be reflected in seasonal variations of physiologic processes related to nutrient transport and absorption. We examined the rate of mucus transport on the ciliated palate and the movement of nutrients across the intestinal lumen of leopard frogs, Rana pipiens. Mucus transport on the frog palate was strongly influenced by season, with maximal transport occurring in late June (Julian day 178, p = 0.0001; r = 0.58). This increased transport rate was associated with a summertime increase in mucus recoil (lower tangent delta) and a decrease in mucus hydration (increase in percent solids composition). Intestinal transport of leucine, lysine, and galactose did not appear to exhibit seasonal variability. These data suggest that different mechanisms may operate in determining seasonal variability in physiologic responses.