Color Variation of Common Toad (Bufo bufo) Larvae

Galina S. Surova

Abstract


In the natural pond (Moscow Oblast’) common toad tadpoles with unusual olive-red color have been found and registered three times for six year investigation. This color is similar to the color of yearlings soon after metamorphosis. «Red» tadpoles can be found at various stages of development but they always appeared after the beginning of metamorphosis of the most part of the population. Their occurrence is not affected neither by seasonal temperature, nor related with distinctions in number (density) of tadpoles between years. We suggest that this phenomenon could be explained by heterochrony.

 


Keywords


Bufo bufo; development; color variation; common toad; tadpoles

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2009-16-2-139-142

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