The Reproductive Ecology of Chinese Tree Frog(Hyla chinensis)

• Main Authors: Shiang-Yu Wei, 魏香瑜
• Other Authors: Yi-Ju Yang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/83207691104544058218

碩士 === 國立花蓮教育大學 === 生態與環境教育研究所 === 95 === The purpose of this research was to understand the reproductive ecology of Chinese Tree Frog (Hyla chinensis). This research was conducted at Yuanshan , Yilan County from February 2005 to May 2006. The breeding population and their reproductive behaviors were investigated. The breeding season of Chinese Tree Frog lasted form March to September at Yilan. Frogs’ activities during the breeding season, measured as (the number of the frogs being caught ) / night, were significantly correlated with the accumulative rainfall one day before the investigating day. The number of the egg masses was positively correlated with the average temperature and the accumulative rainfall of the month. Frogs’ reproductive peak was the beginning of the breeding season (March) and the typhoon seasons (July and August). At night under different weathers the males chorused at different times. The males’ chorus would last for 24 hours, and then their calling intensity would be weakened. Before the daytime rain, the humidity rose suddenly, and then the males would start to chorus. The habitats of the females were significantly higher than the males’. The heights of the males’ habitats have shown a significantly negative correlation with the humidity, but not with the temperature, the captured time intervals and the body lengths. The females’ habitats were significantly positive correlated with the temperature, and significantly negative correlated with the humidity and the body lengths, but were not correlated with the captured time intervals. The amplexus and oviposition of Chinese Tree Frog lasted 74 minutes and they lay 288 eggs in 32 minutes. The females preferred to mate with males whose body length were 77% to 98% of females’ body length. Chinese Tree Frog’s reproductive activities were influenced by the rainfall strongly. The beginning time and the duration of the males’ choruses were affected by the weather. The females’ oviposition was also influenced by the rainfall. The rainfall change caused by climatic change may influence the reproduction of Chinese Tree Frog. Therefore the understanding of Chinese Tree Frog’s reproductive ecology will contribute to the conservation of amphibians.