Rana Palustris Research Articles

Cover Image

Ecological ApplicationsVolume 33, Issue 4 e2660 COVER IMAGEFree Access Cover Image First published: 01 June 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2660AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Graphical Abstract COVER PHOTO: On the outskirts of Madison, Wisconsin, USA, a pickerel frog (Lithobates palustris) keeps an eye out for new threats in a changing landscape. In their study in this issue, Trovillion et al. (Article e2828; doi:10.1002/eap.2828) show that urban development often simplifies lentic habitats into stormwater retention ponds, reduces connectivity, and facilitates nonnative species introductions leading to reduced richness. However, greenspaces that preserve complex habitats may allow native aquatic communities to persist within the urban environment. Photo credit: Daniel Trovillion. Volume33, Issue4June 2023e2660 RelatedInformation

Rana palustris

This datasheet on Rana palustris covers Identity, Distribution.

How many years of acoustic monitoring are needed to accommodate for anuran species turnover and detection?

Anuran species are threatened by a range of anthropogenically induced disturbances, highlighting the need for robust and reliable monitoring programs to detect trends in species occupancy. Anuran species experience not only differences in seasonal distributions of breeding activity, but also interannual variations in habitat occupancy which are dependent on stochastic environmental processes. Acoustic calling surveys are a widely used and reportedly reliable technique for detecting a range of anuran species in Southern Ontario. Short-term applications of this technique may be challenged to detect species which are temporarily absent from suitable habitats due to natural extirpation processes. In this paper, I analyzed anuran occupancy data from 67 long-term acoustic monitoring sites across Southern Ontario to determine the relationship between accumulated species occupancy and number of monitoring years. Data was taken from Birds Canada's Marsh Monitoring Protocol database for amphibians and filtered to extract sites which were monitored for at least 8years and recorded at least 4 anuran species. Species accumulation curves were created using EstimateS. Results suggest that there may be detectability issues for some species such as the pickerel frog, wood frog, and western chorus frog. Interannual detection rates and species accumulation curves point to the need for long-term (> 5years) monitoring programs to reliably detect on average more than 90% of anuran species occupying a monitoring site. They also reflect well-documented reports of high species turnover in anuran metapopulations, suggesting that extirpation-recolonization processes are widespread and frequent. Monitoring programs should address this issue by lengthening monitoring programs, particularly those that aim to document changes to species occupancy before and after major habitat disturbances.

Exposure to a fungal pathogen increases the critical thermal minimum of two frog species.

The ability of an organism to tolerate seasonal temperature changes, such as extremely cold temperatures during the winter, can be influenced by their pathogens. We tested how exposure to a virulent fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), affected the critical thermal minimum (CTmin) of two frog species, Hyla versicolor (gray treefrog) and Lithobates palustris (pickerel frog). The CTmin is the minimum thermal performance point of an organism, which we estimated via righting response trials. For both frog species, we compared the righting response of Bd‐exposed and Bd‐unexposed individuals in either a constant (15ºC) environment or with decreasing temperatures (−1°C/2.5 min) starting from 15°C. The CTmin for both species was higher for Bd‐exposed frogs than unexposed frogs, and the CTmin of H. versicolor was higher than L. palustris. We also found that Bd‐exposed frogs of both species righted themselves significantly fewer times in both decreasing and constant temperature trials. Our findings show that pathogen exposure can reduce cold tolerance and limit the thermal performance range of hosts, which may lead to increased overwintering mortality.

Exotic InvasivePomacea maculata(Giant Apple Snail) Will Depredate Eggs of Frog and Toad Species of the Southeastern US

Pomacea maculata (Giant Apple Snail) is a freshwater snail from South America that is an invasive species on the Gulf of Mexico coastal plain. A sister species has been shown to prey on amphibian eggs in Asia. To test whether the Giant Apple Snail will prey on amphibian eggs, we presented eggs of Lithobates palustris (Pickerel Frog), Lithobates pipiens (Northern Leopard Frog), and Anaxyrus americanus (American Toad) to Giant Apple Snails in a laboratory experiment. Giant Apple Snails ate the eggs of all 3 species.

Identification and molecular cloning of novel antimicrobial peptides from skin secretions of the Chinese bamboo leaf odorous frog (Odorrana versabilis) and the North American pickerel frog (Rana palustris)

ObjectiveAmphibian skin secretions are an abundant source of bioactive peptides, some of which could be developed as candidate drugs. Among these natural peptides, cytolytic peptides have attracted the most attention given that they might replace conventional antibiotics and help deal with the problem of microbial resistance. This study discovered two bioactive peptides, Brevinin-1-PLr and Nigrocin-2-OV, from two species frogs, the Chinese bamboo leaf odorous frog (Odorrana versabilis) and the North American pickerel frog (Rana palustris), respectively. Their antimicrobial, anticancer and hemolytic activities were also investigated. MethodscDNA sequences encoding peptides were cloned from cDNA libraries constructed from the lyophilized secretions of the Chinese bamboo leaf odorous frog and the North American pickerel frog. By reversed-phase HPLC and MS/MS fragmentation sequencing, the encoded novel peptides, named Nigrocin-2-OV and Brevinin-1-PLr, were identified in skin secretions and their structures were confirmed. Replicates of both peptides were produced through solid phase peptide synthesis. Their antimicrobial and anticancer activity was studied against three types of microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Escherichia coli) and five cancer cell lines (NCI-H157, PC-3, MDA-MB-435s, MCF-7, and U251MG). Their hemolytic activity was investigated using whole horse blood. ResultsIn this research, cDNA sequences encoding two novel 24-mer peptides were cloned from cDNA libraries constructed from the lyophilized skin secretions of the Chinese bamboo leaf odorous frog and the North American pickerel frog. Both of the peptides had the strongest inhibitory effect against C. albicans, and IC50 values against five cancer cell lines were all under 6 μM. ConclusionsNigrocin-2-OV and Brevinin-1-PLr had the strong ability to inhibit the proliferation of studied microorganisms and tumor cell lines, with slight hemolytic activity. Compared with Brevinin-1-PLr, Nigrocin-2-OV exhibited higher antimicrobial and anticancer activity but slightly higher hemolytic activity.

Intraspecific variation overrides origin effects in impacts of litter-derived secondary compounds on larval amphibians

Secondary compounds leached from plant litter can negatively affect aquatic amphibian larvae. Non-native plants and their potentially distinct secondary compounds may constitute cryptic threats to native amphibians. We used the availability of both native and introduced Phragmites australis (common reed) populations in North America to assess the importance of origin, intraspecific variation, and two purified classes of compounds (tannins and saponins; gradients 0-25 mg L(-1)) on two common and widespread amphibians (Ambystoma maculatum, spotted salamander, and Lithobates palustris, pickerel frog). In experiments with purified compounds, high tannin concentrations reduced A. maculatum survival and developmental rate while high saponin concentrations reduced survival, developmental rate, and size of L. palustris and reduced A. maculatum developmental rate. In experiments using leaf litter extracts of 14 different P. australis populations, A. maculatum larval survival varied among populations but plant origin (native or introduced) did not explain this variation. In contrast to the lack of effects of purified saponins, increases in saponin concentrations in P. australis leachates significantly decreased A. maculatum survival. Our results suggest: (1) secondary compounds can impact larval amphibian survival and development in species-specific ways; (2) impacts of P. australis on A. maculatum vary among P. australis populations, reflecting intraspecific variation in secondary chemistry; and (3) origin (whether the plant is native or introduced) is a poor predictor of P. australis effects on A. maculatum. Scientists and managers may need to move beyond considering origin as a predictive variable when managing plant communities to benefit amphibians.

Evaluation of Listener-Based Anuran Surveys with Automated Audio Recording Devices

Volunteer-based audio surveys are used to document long-term trends in anuran community composition and abundance. Current sampling protocols, however, are not region- or species-specific and may not detect relatively rare or audibly cryptic species. We used automated audio recording devices to record calling anurans during 2006–2009 at wetlands in Maine, USA. We identified species calling, chorus intensity, time of day, and environmental variables when each species was calling and developed logistic and generalized mixed models to determine the time interval and environmental variables that optimize detection of each species during peak calling periods. We detected eight of nine anurans documented in Maine. Individual recordings selected from the sampling period (0.5 h past sunset to 0100 h) described in the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP) detected fewer species than were detected in recordings from 30 min past sunset until sunrise. Time of maximum detection of presence and full chorusing for three species (green frogs, mink frogs, pickerel frogs) occurred after the NAAMP sampling end time (0100 h). The NAAMP protocol’s sampling period may result in omissions and misclassifications of chorus sizes for certain species. These potential errors should be considered when interpreting trends generated from standardized anuran audio surveys.

Anuran Larval Habitat Quality When Reed Canary Grass Is Present in Wetlands

Abstract Ephemeral, fishless wetlands with open canopies are known to be quality breeding habitats for pond-breeding amphibians. Yet many wetlands including these are commonly invaded by exotic plants, resulting in vegetation shifts from diverse native vegetation to monotypic stands of novel material. I tested the hypothesis that an invasive grass, reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), would reduce survival, growth, and development rates of four tadpole species relative to a mixture of native grasses. I manipulated grass type and amount in fully replicated mesocosm experiments that contained American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus), Cope's Gray Treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis), Pickerel Frogs (Lithobates palustris), or Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvatica). Counter to expectations, I found little evidence that diverse vegetation enhanced wetland quality for amphibians, because the quantity of decomposing plant matter influenced tadpole performance more than type of plant matter. Growth and development of tadpole...

Adjacent land-use affects amphibian community composition and species richness in managed forests in New Brunswick, Canada

Here, we examine the effects of adjacent land use in a managed forest on pond-breeding amphibian species richness and community composition at 34 New Brunswick, Canada, ponds. Amphibian species richness was negatively correlated with the proportion of roads, precommercial thinning, and hardwood forest and positively correlated with the proportion of wetlands in adjacent lands. These land-use effects peak at 180 m from the ponds. Road density was negatively correlated with Lithobates catesbeiana and Lithobates septentrionalis presence. Precommercial thinning was negatively correlated with Ambystoma spp. presence and positively correlated with Anaxyrus americanus presence. Wetlands were positively correlated with L. septentrionalis and Notopthalamus viridescens presence. Correlations were also found between water table height and A. americanus, Lithobates palustris , and Ambystoma spp. presence. In addition, L. catesbeiana and N. viridescens presence–absence was positively correlated with the proportion of mature and overmature forest on the landscape (at scales of 500 and 1000 m, respectively). Lastly, the proportion of regenerating and sapling forest on the landscape was negatively correlated with L. palustris presence–absence but, by contrast, was positively correlated with A. americanus. These results suggest that the effects of adjacent land use may significantly impact amphibian populations in managed eastern Canadian forests.

Comparative Morphometrics in Ranid Frogs (Subgenus Nenirana): Are Apomorphic Elongation and a Blunt Snout Responses to Small-bore Burrow Dwelling in Crawfish Frogs (Lithobates areolatus)?

The subgenus Nenirana of North American ranid frogs encompasses Pickerel Frogs (Lithobates palustris), Crawfish Frogs (L. areolatus), Gopher Frogs (L. capito), and Dusky Gopher Frogs (L. sevosus). All four species inhabit caves, crevices, stump holes, and/or burrows when not in breeding wetlands. Crawfish Frogs obligately inhabit crayfish burrows as their primary retreat sites, and in this study we examine whether the deep, small-bore crayfish burrows used by Crawfish Frogs have influenced Crawfish Frog morphology. Specimens of all four species of Nenirana were radiographed and snout–urostyle length, maximum headwidth, head length, femur length, and tibiofibula length were measured from films. Our results suggest that if Crawfish Frog morphology is a response to life in burrows, it is due in part to having the size characteristic of being the largest member of the clade and in part through the shape characteristic of generally exhibiting an intermediate morphology between Pickerel Frogs and the two Gopher Frog species. Not all shape metrics, however, are intermediate; among Nenirana, Crawfish Frogs have the longest hindlimbs and the relatively bluntest snouts. Further, Crawfish Frogs exhibit positive allometry in headwidth, a reversal of the ancestral pattern exhibited by Pickerel Frogs. None of the morphological features of Crawfish Frogs fit neatly into known or predicted functional/morphological cause-and-effect relationships associated with burrow occupancy. It may be that the ranid body plan is generalized enough to permit Crawfish Frogs to inhabit, despite being unable to dig, deep small-bore burrows without undergoing major morphological changes.

Anuran susceptibilities to ranaviruses: role of species identity, exposure route, and a novel virus isolate

Ranaviruses are responsible for widespread amphibian die-offs, particularly with larval anurans. To understand the factors that may be contributing to the emergence of ranaviruses, we conducted 3 experiments that exposed 3 species of larval anurans to either endemic frog virus 3 (FV3) or an FV3-like isolate from a ranaculture facility. Our goals were to (1) determine the susceptibility of each species to each virus, (2) determine whether direct ingestion of virions or exposure to virions in a water bath were similarly lethal routes of transmission, and (3) quantify the effects of exposure duration on disease outcomes. We conducted our research in a controlled aquatic laboratory using a factorial combination of virus isolates, transmission routes, and exposure durations. While ranaviruses can affect many species, we found that larval anurans differ greatly in susceptibility to ranaviruses. Average mortality rates of Cope's gray tree frogs (66%) and pickerel frogs (68%) were similar but 3-fold higher than for eastern narrow-mouthed toads. Direct ingestion of the viruses increased mean infection and mortality rates by 30% and caused death about 2 times faster compared to water bath exposure. However, exposure duration did not impact mean infection or mortality rates. We also found that the ranaculture isolate increased mortality by > 34% compared to FV3. Our results suggest that ranaviruses can rapidly infect and cause disease in multiple amphibian species. Given the risk associated with introducing novel ranaviruses from ranaculture facilities, we recommend that all nations adopt the protocol set forth by the World Organization for Animal Health for testing and certifying that amphibians that are commercially shipped are negative for ranavirus infection.

Relative abundance of amphibians in forest canopy gaps of natural origin vs. timber harvest origin

Small-scale canopy gaps created by logging may retain adequate habitat structure to maintain amphibian abundance. We used pitfalls with drift fences to measure relative abundance of amphibians in 44 harvested gaps, 19 natural treefall gaps, and 36 closed-canopy forest plots. Metamorphs had relatively lower capture rates in large harvest gaps for Ambystoma maculatum, Lithobates catesbeianus, L. clamitans, and L. sylvaticus but we did not detect statistically significant (p < 0.1) differences among gap types for Lithobates palustris metamorphs. L. clamitans juveniles and L. sylvaticus juveniles and adults had relatively lower capture rates in large harvest gaps. For juvenile-adult A. maculatum, we caught relatively fewer individuals in all gap types than in closed-canopy areas. Some groups with overall lower capture rates (immature Plethodon cinereus, juvenile L. palustris) had mixed differences among gap types, and Notophthalmus viridescens (efts) and adult P. cinereus showed no differences among gap types. One species, L. clamitans, was captured more often at gap edges than gap centers. These results suggest that harvest gaps, especially small gaps, provided habitat similar to natural gaps for some, but not all, amphibian species or life-stages.

Moderate Echinostoma trivolvis Infection Has No Effects on Physiology and Fitness-Related Traits of Larval Pickerel Frogs (Rana palustris)

High intensity infections of Echinostoma trivolvis metacercariae decrease survival and growth of young amphibian larvae. However, in nature, parasites are highly aggregated, which results in a large proportion of the amphibian population being only moderately infected. Survival and growth responses at these more-common, low-infection levels remain poorly studied. Thus, we investigated the effects of moderate Echinostoma trivolvis metacercariae infection (following exposure to 0, 10, 30, or 90 cercariae) on the growth and development of pickerel frog (Rana palustris) tadpoles. We measured metabolism to determine whether increased energy expenditure is a potential physiological mechanism underlying previously documented reduced growth. Furthermore, we quantified tadpole intestine size, which can exhibit plasticity in response to changing metabolic demands, and we characterized metacercariae distribution in tadpole kidneys. Metacercariae encysted in the pronephros significantly more than in the mesonephros, but tended to occur equally in right and left kidneys. Two mo post-infection (PI), there were no changes in tadpole survival, development, intestine size, or growth related to metacercariae infection. Similarly, metacercariae did not significantly increase metabolic rates during encystment or at 1 mo PI. Our study demonstrated that modest E. trivolvis infections, representative of a large proportion of the host population, had no detectable effects on fitness-related traits in laboratory isolation from other ecological variables.

Energetics of metamorphic climax in the pickerel frog ( Lithobates palustris)

Anuran metamorphosis, the transition from aquatic larvae to terrestrial juveniles, is accompanied by significant morphological, physiological, and behavioral changes. Timing of metamorphosis and final size, which can influence adult fitness, may depend on sufficient energy accumulated during the larval period to support metamorphosis. However, only two species of anurans have been examined for energetic costs of metamorphosis, Rana tigrina and Anaxyrus terrestris. Based on these species, it has been hypothesized that differences in energy expenditure are related to duration of metamorphosis. To compare energetic costs of metamorphosis among species and examine this hypothesis, we quantified the total energy required for metamorphosis of Lithobates palustris tadpoles by measuring oxygen consumption rates over the duration of metamorphic climax using closed-circuit respirometry. Total energy costs for L. palustris were positively related to tadpole mass and duration of metamorphic climax. However, larger tadpoles completed metamorphosis more efficiently because they used proportionally less total energy for metamorphic climax than smaller counterparts. Costs were intermediate to R. tigrina, a larger species with similar metamorphic duration, and A. terrestris, a smaller species with shorter metamorphic climax. The results supported the hypothesis that amphibian species with more slowly developing tadpoles, such as ranids, require more absolute energy for metamorphosis in comparison to more rapidly developing species like bufonids.

Effects of malathion on embryonic development and latent susceptibility to trematode parasites in ranid tadpoles

We investigated the effects of embryonic exposure to the widely used organophosphate malathion (15-600 micro/L) on the early development and latent susceptibility of pickerel frog (Rana palustris) tadpoles to the trematode parasite Echinostoma trivolvis. The latent effects of contaminant exposure are rarely examined but could have important implications for individual survival and population viability. Malathion decreased hatching success by 6.5% and viability rates by 17% at 600 microg/L, which is a lower concentration than previously documented for anuran embryos. Incidence of malformations increased from 0.5% in controls to 11.2% in the 600-microg/L malathion treatment. The primary malformations documented in the two highest pesticide concentrations were ventralization and axial shortening. After seven weeks of development in water with no malathion, tadpoles previously exposed as embryos for only 96 h to 60 and 600 microg/L malathion suffered increased parasite encystment rates when compared to controls. Our research identifies embryonic development as a sensitive window for establishing latent susceptibility to infection in later developmental stages.

Balancing Selection at a Frog Antimicrobial Peptide Locus: Fluctuating Immune Effector Alleles?

Balancing selection is common on many defense genes, but it has rarely been reported for immune effector proteins such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). We describe genetic diversity at a brevinin-1 AMP locus in three species of leopard frogs (Rana pipiens, Rana blairi, and Rana palustris). Several highly divergent allelic lineages are segregating at this locus. That this unusual pattern results from balancing selection is demonstrated by multiple lines of evidence, including a ratio of nonsynonymous/synonymous polymorphism significantly higher than 1, the ZnS test, incongruence between the number of segregating sites and haplotype diversity, and significant Tajima's D values. Our data are more consistent with a model of fluctuating selection in which alleles change frequencies over time than with a model of stable balancing selection such as overdominance. Evidence for fluctuating selection includes skewed allele frequencies, low levels of synonymous variation, nonneutral values of Tajima's D within allelic lineages, an inverse relationship between the frequency of an allelic lineage and its degree of polymorphism, and divergent allele frequencies among populations. AMP loci could be important sites of adaptive genetic diversity, with consequences for host–pathogen coevolution and the ability of species to resist disease epidemics.

English

In watersheds of the mid-Atlantic region of the US where sulfide spoils occur from mining operations, geochemical reactions develop additional acids in the soil and water supply. The resulting condition lowers ambient pH to very low values (2 to 4 SU). The low pH impairs the soil chemistry and water quality to the extent that native flora and fauna can not survive on the site. This work presents the design and evaluation of remedial work implemented to abate acid mine drainage from a sulfide mine (Valzinco Mine) in the Piedmont Provence of Virginia, USA. Water quality conditions were measured before and after the remediation work, and documented the re-establishment and abundance of native wetland and aquatic vegetation within the site. Data showed that average pH increased from 3.4 to 5.1 and a decrease in total dissolved solids (Fe, Al, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and SO4 2- ) over the study period. Initial wetland vegetation, both planted and volunteer, quickly colonized the site with an average ground cover of >74% after five years. Aquatic vegetation cover averaged >50% after 2 years and many plots had coverage >100%. Composition, species richness, and abundance of the new vegetation communities was similar to that of near-by reference (un-affected by mine activities) wetland (>75%, 6.0 spp. m -2 vs. 5.5 spp. m -2 , average cover 74% vs. 67%, respectively). Two amphibians (southern leopard frog, pickerel frog) and two aquatic reptiles (brown water snake and northern water snake) were captured on the site during the fifth year, indicating a return of herpatifauna to the wetland and aquatic communities. We conclude that the increase in pH, decline in total dissolved minerals, success of the re- vegetation of the site, and return of the reptiles to the site, is a strong indication that the remedial work successfully restored the soil and water chemistry closer to pre- mining conditions. Therefore, we suggest that the successful restoration of this site was based on sound hydrological and biogeochemical principles that can be applied to restoration efforts in other acid damaged watersheds in the mid-Atlantic region.

Relative Toxicity of Malathion to Trematode-Infected and Noninfected Rana palustris Tadpoles

Amphibian populations around the world are facing threats that include disease and pollution. Although the effect of environmental contaminants on susceptibility to infection has been demonstrated for several amphibian species, to our knowledge, the opposite interaction, infection status affecting contaminant susceptibility, has not been studied. We conducted standard 48-h toxicity tests to compare susceptibility to malathion, a widely used organophosphate insecticide, of uninfected pickerel frog (Rana palustris) tadpoles and tadpoles infected with two levels (10 or 30 cercariae) of the trematode Echinostoma trivolvis. Trematode encystment rates were high (>90%) in both trematode treatment groups. LC(50) values ranged from 16.5 to 17.4 mg/L, within the range reported for other amphibian species. However, we found no differences in susceptibility to malathion among parasite treatments. Although we detected no effect of parasites on pesticide susceptibility in this system, it is important to investigate this question using other pesticides, parasites, and amphibian hosts before dismissing this potentially threatening interaction.

Does physical or acoustical disturbance cause male pickerel frogs, Rana palustris, to vocalize underwater?

AbstractMale pickerel frogs (Rana palustris) vocalize both above water and underwater. Males have a complex vocal repertoire consisting of an advertisement call and two additional call types (i.e., aggressive calls) that can be elicited by the playback of a conspecific advertisement call. Additionally, in a previous study, males in these playbacks often dove and vocalized underwater for a few minutes before returning to the surface. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether physical or acoustical disturbance cause male pickerel frogs to call underwater. Experimental manipulations were performed with resident males that, initially, were calling above water. In the first, 16 males were physically disturbed with the intent to make them dive underwater. Eleven of these began to call underwater within 10 to 95 seconds and continued for up to four minutes before returning to calling above water. The second experiment involved playbacks in which males were disturbed acoustically by two minutes of continuous advertisement calling from either one Bufo americanus or Pseudacris crucifer male. Only one of 15 males dove and then called underwater in response to B. americanus calls even though most subjects emitted aggressive calls during the test period, and no male called underwater in response to P. crucifer calls (n = 13). In conclusion, male pickerel frogs will shift to underwater calling in response to a physical disturbance, but do not shift in response to the sounds of one heterospecific caller.