Biological Adaptations of Anuran Species across Diverse Habitats, Spanning Mediterranean to Desert Climates
The class Amphibia contains over 6,300 known species, 54% of which live in the neotropical region. They cannot tolerate the high salt content of sea water and are therefore the only vertebrates not to have colonized marine habitats (Capula, 1989). The class is divided into three orders. The largest, Anura, is divided into approximately 30 families and more than 4,500 spe-cies, ranging in size from a few millimeters to a couple of feet in length, and found in nearly every niche on earth. They have four limbs, the hind limbs typically being larger and modified for leaping or climbing. Most are external fertilizers. These species are also vocal, making sounds that range from squeaks to barks. In lentic environments, anuran breeding occurs in water bodies ranging from ephemeral pools to large permanent lakes (Richter-Boix et al., 2006). Most species deposit their eggs or live larvae in aquatic envi-ronments; these go through a larval phase (tadpoles) characterized by in-tensive morphological transformation—metamorphosis—to the juvenile stage, with an adult appearance; they then continue growing until the re-productive stage.
Sample Chapter(s)
Abstract (319 KB)
Components of the Book:
  • Graphical Abstract
  • Acknowledgements
  • 1. Class Amphibia
  • 2. Amphibians in Israel
  • 3. Green toads
    • 3.1 Classification
    • 3.2 Distribution
    • 3.3 Adult morphology
    • 3.4 Variations and adaptability
    • 3.5 Life history
    • 3.6 Adaptation
    • 3.7 Genetic differences between populations in different environments
  • 4. Tree Frogs
    • 4.1 Classification
    • 4.2 Distribution
    • 4.3 Life cycle
    • 4.4 Frog color and substrate preference
    • 4.5 Tree frogs in unstable habitats
    • 4.6 Adaptation to a semi-desert habitat: water loss and tolerance to changes in plasma ion and urea contents
    • 4.7 Molecular genetic diversity across breeding sites in northern Israel
  • 5. Eastern Spadefoot Toad
    • 5.1 Classification and description
    • 5.2 Distribution
    • 5.3 Life cycle
    • 5.4 Terrestrial activity
    • 5.5 Reproduction
    • 5.6 Dehydration in air
    • 5.7 Burrowing in soil
    • 5.8 Over-hydration
    • 5.9 Genetic differences in different populations within breeding locations
  • 6. Water Frogs
    • 6.1 Classification and description
    • 6.2 Distribution
    • 6.3 Life cycle
    • 6.4 Different larval growth periods among ponds 60
    • 6.5 Comparison of green toads’ and water frogs’ adaptations to habitat conditions
    • 6.6 Variations in mitochondrial genes 12S and 16S in water frogs from various breeding sites in northern Israel
  • 7. Hula Painted Frog
    • 7.1 Classification and description
    • 7.2 Life cycle
    • 7.3 Population genetics analysis of the recently rediscovered Hula painted frog reveals high genetic diversity and low inbreeding
  • 8. Diversity of Biological, Ecological and Genetic Characteristics, and Adaptation among Amphibian Species in Israel
    • 8.1 Amphibian larval growth in various habitats
    • 8.2 Adaptations of amphibian species
    • 8.3 Phylogenetic tree of amphibian species in Israel based on Cyt b
  • References
Readership: Students, academics, teachers and other people attending or interested in Biological Adaptations of Anuran Species.
1
Graphical Abstract
Gad Degani
PDF (319 KB)
3
Acknowledgements
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1. Class Amphibia
Gad Degani
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2. Amphibians in Israel
Gad Degani
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3. Green toads
Gad Degani
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4. Tree Frogs
Gad Degani
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5. Eastern Spadefoot Toad
Gad Degani
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6. Water Frogs
Gad Degani
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7. Hula Painted Frog
Gad Degani
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8. Diversity of Biological, Ecological and Genetic Characteristics, and Adaptation among Amphibian Species in Israel
Gad Degani
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References
Gad Degani
PDF (110 KB)
Gad Degani
MIGAL—Galilee Research Institute, Kiryat Shmona, Israel;Faculty of Science and Technology, Tel-Hai Academic College, Kiryat Shmona, Israel

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