Spring is nearly upon us and a cursory glance at any wildlife forum online will show you that the our UK frogs are definitely in the mood for love. Across the country they are beginning to gather at mating ponds in high densities, meaning it's about time to leap into action and take to the field! This breeding season we are going to keep a diary of our herpetological gallivanting to show exactly what we are getting up to...
This year we are trying to see if historic Ranavirus infection alters the characteristics of a population, looking particularly at body size and age distribution. In practice this involves sexing, taking body measurements, skin swabs and a small tissue sample from as many members of a population as possible.
Following a call from one of our wonderfully accommodating field site owners, last week saw our first excursion of the year. It required a monster commute from Falmouth, Cornwall to Tadworth in Surrey. All the driving was worth it though, as the trip was a great success with 25 frogs (including several mating pairs) found in a relatively small garden pond.
Upon arrival we spent a few hours looking for as many frogs as we could find. They were gently taken from the pond using a net and place into some water in a large, ventilated, plastic container. The frogs were then measured and sampled individually (or in mating pairs) and returned to the pond. This is the process that will be repeated during all of the visits to come.
Summary of visit 1 (Tadworth, Surrey) :
25 individuals found.
22 sampled ( 15 males, 6 Females, 1 Sex Unknown)
Miles traveled - 600
The large number of excess males is to be expected during the breeding season as males gather together to try and gain access to females to reproduce. The sexes can be told apart by the presence of the male's large thumb pads.
We are looking forward to a busy but rewarding breeding season and will update after every day in the field.
Stay tuned....
This year we are trying to see if historic Ranavirus infection alters the characteristics of a population, looking particularly at body size and age distribution. In practice this involves sexing, taking body measurements, skin swabs and a small tissue sample from as many members of a population as possible.
Following a call from one of our wonderfully accommodating field site owners, last week saw our first excursion of the year. It required a monster commute from Falmouth, Cornwall to Tadworth in Surrey. All the driving was worth it though, as the trip was a great success with 25 frogs (including several mating pairs) found in a relatively small garden pond.
Upon arrival we spent a few hours looking for as many frogs as we could find. They were gently taken from the pond using a net and place into some water in a large, ventilated, plastic container. The frogs were then measured and sampled individually (or in mating pairs) and returned to the pond. This is the process that will be repeated during all of the visits to come.
Summary of visit 1 (Tadworth, Surrey) :
25 individuals found.
22 sampled ( 15 males, 6 Females, 1 Sex Unknown)
Miles traveled - 600
The large number of excess males is to be expected during the breeding season as males gather together to try and gain access to females to reproduce. The sexes can be told apart by the presence of the male's large thumb pads.
We are looking forward to a busy but rewarding breeding season and will update after every day in the field.
Stay tuned....