Vol. 35 – 2009 - Ecologia Mediterranea - Université d'Avignon et des ...

various community structures (according to
larval species), and there were no significant
differences regarding the larval communities
of the various ponds from year to year (Figure
3) (F = 0.056; df = 3,32; p = 0.98 > 0.05,
ANOVA).
In permanent water bodies, where the water
temperatures are below 20 oC, the dominant
larvae were S. infraimmaculata. Above this
temperature, all amphibian larvae were found
(Table 4). In unpredictable habitats, where
water is available for only a few months, not
only S. infraimmaculata larvae, but also B.
viridis larvae were discovered at temperatures
below 20 oC. All other larvae, except for the
above two species, grew above this temperature
(Figures 2 and 3). The highest temperature
at which amphibian larvae (R. bedriagae)
were observed was 34 oC (Figure 4).
ecologia mediterranea – Vol. 35 – 2009
Breeding site selection according to suitability for amphibian larval growth
under various ecological conditions in the semi-arid zone of northern Israel
Figure 2 – The periods during which amphibian larvae are found in the stream (St), springs (Sp) and pits (Pi)
where the water temperatures are relatively constant and the water is available almost year
round (SI = Salamandra infraimmaculata, HS = Hyla savignyi, RB = Rana bedriagae).
R. bedriagae and P. syriacus are species that
complete metamorphosis late in the season,
during the summer. The biomasses of invertebrates
at various breeding sites are presented
in Table 3. A relatively low biomass of invertebrates
was found in the stream and springs
as compared to that found in the winter ponds.
When comparing the ranges of the abiotic
parameters of aquatic habitats for the species,
T. vittatus, H. savignyi, P. syriacus and B.
viridis, no significant differences were found
(ANOVA p > 0.05, Figure 4, I-VI). However,
the ranges of water temperature, soluble oxygen
, electrical conductivity and ammonium
concentration in aquatic habitats of S. infraimmaculata
and R. bedriagae were significantly
higher than those of the other species studied
(ANOVA p < 0.05, Figure 4, I-IV).
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