title: Effects of temperature, density and food quality on larval growth and metamorphosis in the north African green frog Pelophylax saharicus.
abstract: The ectodermic status of Amphibians explains their heavy dependence at ambient temperatures and thus their sensitivity to global warming. Temperature is likely the main factor regulating their physiology by acting on the endocrine system, with consequences on development, growth and size at metamorphosis. All these parameters control survival in the wild and performances in raniculture. This study is, to our knowledge, the first report on the effects of temperature, density and protein level in food on the rearing of the North African green Frog Pelophylax saharicus. Results show that a temperature of 26 °C is optimal for maximum weight gain. The maximum metamorphosis rate is obtained between 24 and 26 °C. The highest yields occur at low densities from 1 to 10 tadpolesl(-1). The best survival rate and accelerated metamorphosis are obtained at a level of 35% protein in food whose impact on food intake and weight gain is low. The maximum weight attained by tadpoles at metamorphosis, however, is obtained with a level of 40% protein. These results justify examination of this species in the light of climate change and suggest new techniques for aquaculture.
authors.affiliation: Exploitation of Aquatic Environments, High Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Errimel, B.P. 15, 7080 Bizerte, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Meher
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellakhal
authors.affiliation: INRA, Agrocampus Rennes, UMR 985, F-35042, France.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neveu
authors.affiliation: Exploitation of Aquatic Environments, High Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Errimel, B.P. 15, 7080 Bizerte, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mouna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fartouna-Bellakhal
authors.affiliation: Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie, 43, Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1082 Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hechmi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Missaoui
authors.affiliation: Université de Franche-Comté, Laboratoire de Chrono-Environnement, UMR CNRS 6249, 1, Place Leclerc, F-25030 Besançon Cedex, France. Electronic address: lotfi.aleya@univ-fcomte.fr.
authors.forename: Lotfi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aleya
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004435:Eating; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D011898:Ranidae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature
keywords: Density; Pelophylax saharicus; Protein level; Rearing; Tadpoles; Temperature