Ontogenetic dietary shifts in European common frog (Rana temporaria) revealed by stable isotopes |
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Authors: | Giedrius Trakimas Timothy D Jardine Rūta Barisevi?iūt? Andrius Garbaras Raminta Skipityt? and Vidmantas Remeikis |
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Institution: | (1) Center for Ecology & Environmental Research, Vilnius University, M.K. Čiurlionio 21/27, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania;(2) Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia;(3) Nuclear & Environmental Research Laboratory, Center for Physical Sciences & Technology, Savanoriu ave. 231, LT-02300 Vilnius, Lithuania |
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Abstract: | During migrations and ontogeny amphibians change their habitat and feeding, and thus are important in linking terrestrial
and aquatic ecosystems. We measured δ
13C and δ
15N values of early stages (egg, embryo, tadpole) and toes of adult frogs Rana temporaria, collected from a small wetland in Lithuania. We compared the isotopic composition of these tissues with potential food sources,
excrements of tadpoles, and filled intestinal tracts. We found that δ
13C values in R. temporaria tadpoles were markedly depleted in comparison to adults, eggs or embryos, demonstrating a terrestrial to aquatic shift in
energy sources. After the onset of feeding, tadpoles approached isotopic equilibrium with available food (algae and litter).
Tadpoles had higher δ
15N than both algae and litter, differing by 3.6 and 2.4‰, respectively, and similar δ
13C to these sources. However, tadpole excrements and body tissue diverged, with mean δ
13C values of excrements (−30.3 ± 1.6‰ SD) more similar to litter (−31.7 ± 1.2‰ SD) and body tissue δ
13C (−34.8 ± 0.7‰ SD) more similar to algae (−34.2 ± 4.1‰ SD). This suggests that algal resources are critical in early life
stages of this anuran, particularly at stages characterized by high growth and low development (stages: 25–35). |
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Keywords: | |
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