Ecological aspects of parasitism in the tadpole of Pseudis paradoxa from Argentina.

Abstract

This study has addressed parasitic infection in different amphibian larval stages, juveniles, and adults. Pseudis paradoxa uses permanent ponds with floating vegetation. The tadpole of P. paradoxa is characterized by its large size (maximum length = 230 mm) particularly compared to the size of the metamorphosed adult. This gigantism appears to be the result of extended exposure to prolactin in the tadpoles (e.g., during overwintering). The main goals of this study were: 1) to record and analyze morphological measurements of tadpoles for different stages; 2) to determine how many helminth taxa infest P. paradoxa tadpoles under natural conditions; and 3) to examine the co-occurrence of parasite taxa, and the relationship between co-occurrence and tadpole morphology.