Exploration of the differences of the body size and growth between hot springs and streams breeding populations of Buergeria japonica in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Shu-Huei Liou, 柳淑惠
• Other Authors: Kuang-Yang Lue
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/96361246841486554631

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 生命科學研究所 === 98 === Japanese Buerger's frog (Buergeria japonica) is the only species breeding in hot spring and aquatic environment in Taiwan. This study discussed the differences of the body size, age and growth of breeding population in Japanese Buerger's frog between hot spring and aquatic environment. The results showed the sexual dimorphism in this species. Males reached sexual maturity at 2 years old, and female did at 3 years old. Growth was estimated according to von Bertalanffy model. The growth coefficient (K) was 0.51 in males and 0.23 in females. In hot spring, the mean snout-vent length of the breeding population was 26.35±1.46 mm and 31.51±2.38 mm, age range from 2 to 5 years old (mean = 3.53±0.68) and 3 to 5 years old (mean = 4.29±0.60) in males and females, respectively. In natural aquatic environment, the mean snout-vent length was 27.33±1.16 mm and 34.06±2.20 mm, age range from 3 to 5 years (mean = 4.02±0.70) and 4 to 6 years (mean = 4.69±0.54) in males and females. The difference of body size and age between hot spring and aquatic environment was significant. According to the skeletochronology performed on the phalanges, the average of phalanges circumference and circumference of each LAGs of aquatic environment breeding population were greater than hot spring breeding population, the marrow cavity percent of section of hot spring population was significantiy higher, but the growth in amount of phalange circumference per year in both population were similar.