Hidden implications of clumps and masses.
In a recent study on the spawn of the common frog (Rana temporaria) surveyed over several breeding sites, a significant linear relationship (p < 0.001) was found to exist between the number of spawn 'clumps' making up a bouyant spawn 'mass' and the area of the mass visible from above the water surface (Griffiths and Raper, 1994). An open question exists, as to why such a strong linear relationship is to be found. Using elementary physics, I suggest some factors which may underly the observed linearity and how it may reveal characteristics other than size of a breeding population. A follow-up experiment is outlined to test for these in the field and some ecological implications are discussed.
Grist
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EP
Center for Marine Science and Technology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, New Bedford 02744-1221, USA.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008386:Marine Biology; D010058:Oviposition; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D010825:Physics; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011896:Rana temporaria