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Factors Affecting Larval Growth and Development of the Boreal Chorus Frog Pseudacris Maculata

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Factors Affecting Larval Growth and Development of the Boreal Chorus Frog Pseudacris Maculata University of Alberta Factors affecting larval growth and development of the boreal chorus frog Pseudacris maculata by Arthur V. Whiting A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology Department of Biological Sciences ©Arthur V. Whiting Fall 2010 Edmonton, Alberta Permission is hereby granted to the University of Alberta Libraries to reproduce single copies of this thesis and to lend or sell such copies for private, scholarly or scientific research purposes only. Where the thesis is converted to, or otherwise made available in digital form, the University of Alberta will advise potential users of the thesis of these terms. The author reserves all other publication and other rights in association with the copyright in the thesis and, except as herein before provided, neither the thesis nor any substantial portion thereof may be printed or otherwise reproduced in any material form whatsoever without the author's prior written permission. Library and Archives Bibliothèque et Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de l’édition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre référence ISBN: 978-0-494-67588-5 Our file Notre référence ISBN: 978-0-494-67588-5 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non- L’auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant à la Bibliothèque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par télécommunication ou par l’Internet, prêter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des thèses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, à des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non- support microforme, papier, électronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L’auteur conserve la propriété du droit d’auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protège cette thèse. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la thèse ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent être imprimés ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation. without the author’s permission. In compliance with the Canadian Conformément à la loi canadienne sur la Privacy Act some supporting forms protection de la vie privée, quelques may have been removed from this formulaires secondaires ont été enlevés de thesis. cette thèse. While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans in the document page count, their la pagination, il n’y aura aucun contenu removal does not represent any loss manquant. of content from the thesis. Examining Committee Cynthia Paszkowski, Biological Sciences Lee Foote, Renewable Resources Rolf Vinebrooke, Biological Sciences Ross Chapman, Elk Island National Park, Parks Canada Keith Tierney, Biological Sciences Joseph Rasmussen, Biological Science, University of Lethbridge Abstract The boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata) is a widespread species but we know little of its ecology. I examined the nature and existence of competitive mechanisms operating between larvae of the boreal chorus frog and wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) from field, mesocosm and laboratory venues spanning nutrient concentrations. I assessed larval performance and diet of tadpoles at natural ponds by measuring tadpole growth and size at metamorphosis, and stable isotope ratios for carbon and nitrogen in tadpole tissue to examine if patterns were consistent with the operation of interspecific competition. In mesocosms I measured chorus frog performance in relation to wood frog presence and nutrient enrichment to confirm the occurrence of competition and examine whether nutrient conditions typical of agriculture ponds impact tadpole performance. In the field I compared larval performance and relative abundance between agricultural ponds and those in Elk Island National Park, to examine whether habitat features surrounding ponds in farmlands reduces the abundance of tadpoles and whether tadpole performance results in reduced abundances. Lastly, I examined whether chemical interference by wood frogs occurs by raising chorus frog tadpoles with caged wood frog tadpoles and/or their feces in the laboratory. Chorus frog performance was reduced by presence and abundance of wood frog tadpoles. Resource partitioning in natural ponds and overlap in mesocosms, based on stable isotopic analysis, suggest that resource competition occurs. In mesocosms chorus frog performance was reduced by wood frog tadpoles in fertilized treatments and nutrient conditions at agricultural sites are not in themselves detrimental to these anurans. Performance of chorus frog tadpoles in agricultural ponds was unaffected, whereas wood frogs were larger at metamorphosis in crop ponds. Reduced tadpole abundances of both species at these ponds may be related to habitat features or conditions in croplands. The existence of chemical interference in the absence of physical interaction was confirmed, as chorus frogs exposed to wood frog tadpoles and/or feces had reduced growth and were smaller at metamorphosis which could reduce terrestrial survival and future reproduction. My research contributes to our knowledge on boreal chorus frog ecology and our general understanding of competition between larval anurans. Acknowledgements I never would have been able to complete this research without the advice and assistance from a number of individuals. I would first like to thank Cindy Paszkowski for taking me on as a graduate student and providing support as the writing dragged on. My doctorate experience has been a completely different one than I had during my masters, and she has restored my faith in supervision and colleagueality. I feel that I have benefitted greatly from Cindy’s critical feedback throughout this project and during the writing of my thesis, her efforts to rein in my verbose prose, insightful questions and willingness to give me the feeling of free reign on the development and execution of this research. I would like to thank my field assistants who questioned my rationale and had fun playing in ponds with me: Zach Long, Curtis Van Marck and Laura Becker. I would like to thank my many lab assistants who toiled away in the dark spaces while I spent time catching frogs and having bison and moose threaten me while I was counting frogs: Jade Laramie, Kevin Liu, Vickie Lee, Eileen Tu, Courtney Spelliscy, Maia Benz, Jaskaran Singh, Melissa Tanahill, Darcie Thauvette, Samantha Jones, and Patricia Aranetta. Thanks to my supervisory committee Rolf Vinebrooke, Lee Foote and Ross Chapman for providing guidance and feedback on the research as it developed. I would like to thank Holly Wellar and Myles Stocki who analyzed the many stable isotope samples and whose advice and willingness to answer questions helped with my understanding of the results. Thanks to Rich Moses for helpful advice on analysis, and Charlene Neilson for holding my hand during my GIS analysis. Candra Schank for distracting me with frog questions and other office mates that made those days at my desk entertaining. I would also like to thank the frog crew in Cindy’s lab for providing advice and discussion about my research and froggie ideas: Connie Browne, Cam Stevens, Brett Scheffers and Candra. I would also like to thank Bill Tonn, Justin Hanisch, Eva Kuczynski and the rest of the PT lab group who helped dilute the stress on Friday’s and talk about research, stable isotopes and other varied topics. Financial and in-kind support was provided by North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Duck Unlimited, the Friends of Elk Island Society, Parks Canada, Alberta Conservation Association, Circumpolar/Boreal Alberta Resereach, Alberta Sports, Recreation, Parks, and Wildlife Foundation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (Discovery to Cindy Paszkowski), the University of Alberta and landowners in Strathcona and Lamont County. To the many little tadpoles and frogs that make this research worthwhile and enjoyable. I am sorry to the many that met with my plastic bags, but I will ensure that your death was not in vain. I look forward to hearing and seeing you again soon. To my family who have suffered the most during this process, I look forward to the adventures we will have. I will no longer remain in the basement wrapped in a blanket staring at the computer. To Caius, my little palaeontologist who has already written his thesis on snakes, oh how I wish I was as fast as you; I love your curiosity. To Amber, my whatcha doin’, we’ll make you a frog catcher yet. Thanks to my parents for you support and desire to see me finish. Finally, to Amanda for supporting and tolerating me throughout the research and raising my spirits when I was down, and dealing with me when I was wasn’t. Thank you for every little thing you do and for raising two wonderful little frog catchers. Table of contents Chapter 1: Competition in anuran larvae ....................................................................................... 1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................
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