What characteristic essential for larval development did the Wyoming toad rely on in the Laramie Basin?

Answer

Ephemeral wetlands and temporary ponds.

The evolutionary history and habitat specialization of the Wyoming toad, *Anaxyrus baxteri*, made it extremely vulnerable because its survival was intrinsically linked to specific hydrological conditions. The text emphasizes that the species historically favored sand prairies and sagebrush flats interspersed with ephemeral wetlands. These shallow, temporary water bodies were not just preferred but were essential components of their life cycle, specifically required for the toads to complete their larval development stage before metamorphosis into adults. This tight ecological coupling to specific hydroperiods meant that any significant human alteration, such as wetland drainage for agriculture, directly undermined the species' ability to reproduce successfully.

Related Questions

What characteristic essential for larval development did the Wyoming toad rely on in the Laramie Basin?By what year were the last known wild individuals of the Wyoming toad observed, resulting in functional extinction in its native environment?What specific range of adult length, in inches, is characteristic of the physical description of the Wyoming toad?What crucial genetic management consideration presents an inherent tension for recovery teams managing the captive Wyoming toad stock?Which two specific zoos were mentioned as centers taking on the responsibility of maintaining a genetically viable population of the Wyoming toad in captivity?What process replaced natural selection in the captive breeding programs aimed at preserving the Wyoming toad?What taxonomic classification issue sometimes complicates the federal endangered status of *Anaxyrus baxteri*?What is the specific historical geographic area, near the city of Laramie, to which the Wyoming toad is endemic?What was the stated ultimate objective for initiating the Wyoming toad captive breeding programs, which commenced with releases in 1995?Which combination of environmental factors primarily drove the catastrophic population crash of the Wyoming toad in the late 1980s?

animal evolution Toad