Why does the Wood Frog's reliance on temporary water sources aid its survival strategy?
Answer
These temporary waters lack fish, which are significant predators on their eggs and tadpoles.
The fundamental reason for the Wood Frog's commitment to temporary water bodies is predation avoidance. Because vernal pools exist only for a brief window in early spring before evaporating, they do not support established populations of predatory fish, such as bass or sunfish, that commonly prey on amphibian eggs and larval stages. This selective pressure ensures that the eggs and tadpoles develop safely in a fishless nursery during the critical early period required for metamorphosis.
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