Studies on the biology of the frog Rana dalmatina BONAPARTE during the breeding season in Greece (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae)

Abstract

AbstractStudies on the biology and ecology of Rana dalmatina during its breeding season have been performed in the region of Gallikos river for some years. Animals hibernated in their home range. They emerged from hibernation shortly before the onset of oviposition. Spawning period ranged from the 25th of January to the 15th of March, depending on the weather conditions. In some years it was continuous with 1-3 peaks of oviposition, in others interrupted for shorter or longer time periods depending on the temperature. The mean numberofeggs per female estimated in 190 egg masses was 985 (445-1761) and the mean diameter of the eggs measured in samples from 20 different egg masses was 1.78 mm (1.49-2.04). The mean diameter of the eggs was positively correlated with the number of eggs in each egg mass.