Short- and long- term consequences of developmental saline stress: Impacts on anuran respiration and behaviour

Abstract

Secondary salinization has been identified as a major stressor to amphibians. Exposure to elevated salinity necessitates physiological adjustments and biochemical changes that may be energetically demanding. As such, exposure to non-lethal levels of salinity during development could potentially alter anuran metabolic rates and individual performance in both preand post-metamorphic life stages. We investigated the effects of non-lethal levels of salinity on metamorphic traits (time to reach metamorphosis and metamorphic mass), tadpole oxygen consumption, escape response behaviour (preand post-metamorphosis) and foraging ability post-metamorphosis in two native Australian frog species, the sou..