On the water economy of Israel amphibians; the anurans

A comprehensive database of amphibian heat tolerance

Rising temperatures represent a significant threat to the survival of ectothermic animals. As such, upper thermal limits represent an important trait to assess the vulnerability of ectotherms to changing temperatures. For instance, one may use upper thermal limits to estimate current and future thermal safety margins (i.e., the proximity of upper thermal limits to experienced temperatures), use this trait together with other physiological traits in species distribution models, or investigate the plasticity and evolvability of these limits for buffering the impacts of changing temperatures. While datasets on thermal tolerance limits have been previously compiled, they sometimes report single estimates for a given species, do not present measures of data dispersion, and are biased towards certain parts of the globe. To overcome these limitations, we systematically searched the literature in seven languages to produce the most comprehensive dataset to date on amphibian upper thermal limits, spanning 3,095 estimates across 616 species. This resource will represent a useful tool to evaluate the vulnerability of amphibians, and ectotherms more generally, to changing temperatures.

Water balance and locomotor performance in three species of neotropical toads that differ in geographical distribution

Water availability in the environment is a fundamental factor in determining the limits of geographical distribution and the evolution of the physiological characters associated to water balance in anurans. In this paper, we compare some aspects of water balance and the sensitivity of locomotor performance to dehydration at different temperatures for three species of toads from the genus Rhinella, with different levels of dependence on forested environments. Results show patterns associated to interspecific differences in both geographical distribution and time of seasonal reproduction. Sensitivity of locomotor performance to dehydration was lower at low temperatures for R. icterica, the species that are reproductively active during winter and lower at intermediate temperatures for R. schneideri, the species that reproduces mostly during spring, suggesting a pattern of thermal adaptation of locomotor performance for these species. Otherwise, R. ornata, a species with broader reproductive season, shows high sensitivity of locomotor performance to dehydration at all temperatures tested, suggesting a stronger relation of breeding activity with patterns of rainfall than temperature variation. Furthermore, the low rates of water uptake of R. ornata may pose restrictions on the occupation of open areas by this species.

Hormonal effect on the osmotic, electrolyte and nitrogen balance in terrestrial Amphibia

Two main hormones regulate water balance in amphibian. First, mesotocin (MT) acting as a diuretic agent, and second arginine vasotocin (AVT) being an anti-diuretic hormone. In addition, prolactin (PRL), aldosterone, corticosterone, angiotensin II and atriunatriuretic hormones, play a role too in regulating water and ion balance. The hormones affect the epidermis and bladder permeability to water and ions as well as the kidney through the control of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The main questions concern the presence and action of these hormones during the amphibian's life history. Are they present in both larval and adult stages? Are these hormones being synthesized in both aquatic and terrestrial adult phases? Under what circumstances are they being stored or released? Would the target organs (epidermis, bladder, kidney) respond in a similar way during all periods? The problem is the fact that under most circumstances an amphibian while in an aquatic environment responds physiologically differently than when on land. Only partial information concerning hormone presence, release and control of water balance is available at the moment, and even that is fragmentary and based on only a very small number of amphibian species.

Urea tolerance and osmoregulation in Bufo viridis and Rana ridibunda

1. The tolerance and adaptation to urea solutions by terrestrial green toads (Bufo viridis) and semi-aquatic frogs (Rana Ridibunda) were studied. 2. the green toad showed tolerance to urea solution of 800 mM and the frogs showed tolerance only to about 400 mM urea solution. 3. The plasma concentrations of both species was hyperosmotic to the external medium in all the different urea solutions. 4. Blood osmolality, urea, Na+ and Cl- concentrations of B. viridis were always higher than in R. ridibunda. 5. The urea concentration in muscle of R. ridibunda was higher than the urea concentration in muscle of B. viridis. 6. The muscle tissue weight loss of B. viridis was significantly lower than R. ridibunda.

Water balance of five amphibian species at different stages and phases, as affected by hypophysial hormones

Five amphibian species were studied for the effect of hypophysial hormones on their water balance. The species were three anurans, Rana ridibunda, Bufo viridis and Pelobates syriacus, and two urodeles Salamandra salamandra and Triturus vittatus. In the first four species different stages of development were studied, in the newt both the terrestrial and aquatic phases of the adult were examined. The hormones used were oxytocin (OXY), arginine vasotocin (AVT) and prolactin (PL). Oxytocin caused most water retention when compared with the other hormones, especially responding were juveniles of Rana and Bufo, but also the terrestrial phase of the adult newt Triturus. Arginine vasotocin affected mostly juvenile Pelobates. Prolactin caused water retention in juvenile Rana and in the terrestrial phase of Triturus. In general the hormones affected the juvenile stages more than either larvae or adults.