Summary
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1).
The study of the avoidance of water of low oxygen tensions by tadpoles ofRana temporaria was carried out using apparatus and techniques similar to that used for the study of the reactions ofGammarus pulex (Costa, 1966).
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2).
1–2 weeks old frog tadpoles were unable to detect and avoid water of very low oxygen content and displayed positive or pseudopositive reactions.
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3).
Experiments with larger (28–35 mm) and older (4–5 weeks) tadpoles showed that they were very sensitive to the reduction in the oxygen content of the water. They even avoided water containing 6.9 mg/l of dissolved oxygen. Temperature increases or decreases the speed of the reactions.
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4).
The irritating effects of low pH water brought about by bubbling CO2 were more pronounced than those brought about by water of low oxygen content.
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Costa, H.H. Avoidance of anoxic water by tadpoles of Rana temporaria. Hydrobiologia 30, 374–384 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00964023
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00964023