Abstract
The Mojave Desert is characterized by hot dry summers and cold winters. The red-spotted toad (Bufo (Anaxyrus) punctatus) is the predominant anuran species; yet little is known of their thermal histories and strategies to avoid temperature extremes. We measured body temperature (T b) in free-ranging adult toads across all four seasons of a year using implanted data loggers. There is marked individual variation in the temperatures experienced by these toads. As expected, toads generally escape extreme seasonal and diel temperature fluctuations. However, our data demonstrate a much wider estimated T b range than was previously assumed. Though often for short periods, red-spotted toads do experience T b as low as 3.1°C and as high as 39.1°C. All animals showed periods of prolonged thermal stability in cooler months and wider diel oscillations in warmer months. Red-spotted toad thermal history is likely a function of site choice; the exploitation of different refuges results in diverse thermal experiences. These data represent the most complete record of thermal experiences for a desert anuran and reveal greater extremes in body temperature than previously suggested.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bentley PJ (1966) Adaptations of amphibia to arid environments. Science 152:619–623
Bradford DF, Jaeger JR, Shanahan SA (2005) Distributional changes and population status of amphibians in the eastern Mojave Desert. West N Am Naturalist 65:462–472
Carey C (1978) Factors affecting body temperatures of toads. Oecolog 35:197–219
Cloudsley-Thompson JL (2001) Thermal and water relations of desert beetles. Naturwissenschaften 88:447–460
Huey RB (1991) Physiological consequences of habitat selection. Am Nat 137:S91–S115
Lillywhite HB (1970) Behavioral thermoregulation in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana. Copeia 1970:158–168
McClanahan LL, Ruibal R, Shoemaker VH (1994) Frogs and toads in deserts. Sci Am March 1994:82–88
Moore RG, Moore BA (1980) Observations on the body temperature and activity in the red spotted toad, Bufo punctatus. Copeia 1980:362–363
O’Connor MP, Tracy CR (1992) Thermal regulation by juvenile toads of Bufo woodhousii in the field and in the laboratory. Copeia 1992:865–876
Seebacher F, Alford RA (2002) Shelter microhabitats determine body temperature and dehydration rates of a terrestrial amphibian (Bufo marinus). J Herpetol 36:69–75
Seymour RS (1972) Behavioral thermoregulation by juvenile green toads, Bufo debilis. Copeia 1972:572–575
Sinsch U (1989) Behavioural thermoregulation of the Andean toad (Bufo spinulosus). Oecolog 80:32–38
Smits AW (1984) Activity patterns and thermal biology of the toad Bufo boreas halophilus. Copeia 1984:689–696
Tracy CR (1976) A model of the dynamic exchanges of water and energy between a terrestrial amphibian and its environment. Ecol Monograph 46:293–326
van Gelder JJ, Olders JHJ, Bosch JWG, Starmans PW (1986) Behaviour and body temperature of hibernating common toads. Holarctic Ecol 9:225–228
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to B. Hedlund, D. Rausch, and M. Brunscheen for their assistance in collecting animals. We thank S. Roberts and A. Gibbs for constructive advice and suggestions. Bureau of Land Management provided access to the field site. All animal experiments were done in compliance with the laws of the USA and the State of Nevada. Financial support was provided by the National Science Foundation (IOB-0448396).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rausch, C.M., Starkweather, P.L. & van Breukelen, F. One year in the life of Bufo punctatus: annual patterns of body temperature in a free-ranging desert anuran. Naturwissenschaften 95, 531–535 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-008-0355-2
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-008-0355-2