What specialized aquatic environment is mandatory for Wood Frog reproduction?
Answer
Shallow, still water bodies that dry up later in the season, known as vernal pools.
The reproductive strategy of the Wood Frog is intimately linked to specialized aquatic environments called vernal pools. These are characterized as shallow, still water bodies that are temporary, meaning they usually dry up by mid-summer. The crucial advantage of using these ephemeral pools is that they lack predatory fish, which would otherwise consume the Wood Frog eggs and developing tadpoles. This reliance on temporary water dictates that the hydroperiod—the timing of wetting and drying—is the deciding factor for reproductive success across their range.
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