Respiration rate dynamics during early ontogenesis in amphibians

We studied growth and respiration rate during early ontogenesis of the axolotlAmbystoma mexicanum, Bosca’s newtTriturus waltlii, the green toadBufo viridis, and the smooth clawed frogXenopus laevis. The respiration rate in these amphibian species increases during embryonal and larval development, peaks after transition to active feeding, and decreases at later stages of ontogenesis. The patterns of dynamics of this energy metabolism, index in tailed and tailless amphibians have some differences related to their specific development. The changes in respiration rate in the embryos and larvae are correlated with the concentrations of mitochondria.