The study of growth, development and survival of larvae of Pelophylax bedriagae (Pallas, 1771) (Amphibia: Ranidae) in the presence of the invasive Gambusia fish, water level fluctuations and density changes

Amphibians are considered as an indicator of environmental health and their population is decreasing around the world at a significant rate. The climate change, chemical pollutants, increased ultraviolet radiation, habitat changes, exotic species, and pathogens are some of the causes of amphibian decline. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction effects of density, water level fluctuations and predator cues factors on the growth rate, metamorphosis and survival of Pelophylax bedriagae. In this study, P. bedriagae eggs were collected from Barnaj spring in Kermanshah province. A 2×3×2 factorial experiment designed in two levels of density (low, n =5 and high, n =25), three level of water (low: 400 cc, high 1400 cc, and decreasing 100 cc of water, once a week) and two levels of predatory (present of predatory cues and absence of predatory cues) carried out within 36 container on 201 days. Based on the results, density independently had a significant effect on Snout–vent length, survival, age and percentage of metamorphosis. The presence of the predator cues had a significant effect on growth, development and survival but the water level had not effect. The interactive effect of three factors had no significant on Snout–vent length, metamorphosis time, percentage of metamorphosis and survival rate. The results of this study suggest that P. bedriagae as a resistant species can adapt to environmental changes.