Abstract
The Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) is an endangered species residing in the Pacific Northwest whose dwindling numbers having caught the attention of biologists and environmental scientists. We tested the idea that R. pretiosa populations may be declining due to disruption of sex determination via endocrine disruption and/or parasite infection. Newly metamorphosed specimens were collected from localities in Oregon and their gonads were examined using paraffin histology. The sex ratio was 41% males and 59% females. This was not statistically significant. We found that 46% of the male frogs had oocytes developing in their testes. We also found that all specimens had numerous trematode cysts in their kidneys. These results from wild‐caught frogs were compared to an analysis of captive‐raised Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica) from New York.Grant Funding Source: Supported by the Oregon Community Foundation and its grant
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