Effects of temperature on embryonic and early larval growth and development in the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa)

Geoffrey D Smith; Gareth R Hopkins; Shabnam Mohammadi; Heather M Skinner; Tyler Hansen; Edmund D Brodie Jr; Susannah S French

doi:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2015.03.010

Effects of temperature on embryonic and early larval growth and development in the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa)

J Therm Biol. 2015 Jul:51:89-95. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2015.03.010. Epub 2015 Mar 27.

Authors

Geoffrey D Smith¹, Gareth R Hopkins², Shabnam Mohammadi², Heather M Skinner³, Tyler Hansen⁴, Edmund D Brodie Jr², Susannah S French²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA; Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA. Electronic address: geoff.smith@usu.edu.
² Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA; Ecology Center, Utah State University, 5205 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA.
³ Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA; School of Veterinary Medicine, Utah State University, 4815 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, PO Box 647010, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
⁴ Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA.

PMID: 25965021
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2015.03.010

Abstract

We investigated the effects of temperature on the growth and development of embryonic and early larval stages of a western North American amphibian, the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). We assigned newt eggs to different temperatures (7, 14, or 21°C); after hatching, we re-assigned the newt larvae into the three different temperatures. Over the course of three to four weeks, we measured total length and developmental stage of the larvae. Our results indicated a strong positive relationship over time between temperature and both length and developmental stage. Importantly, individuals assigned to cooler embryonic temperatures did not achieve the larval sizes of individuals from the warmer embryonic treatments, regardless of larval temperature. Our investigation of growth and development at different temperatures demonstrates carry-over effects and provides a more comprehensive understanding of how organisms respond to temperature changes during early development.

Keywords: Amphibian; Carry-over effects; Development; Egg; Growth; Larvae.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Female
Larva / growth & development
Salamandridae / embryology*
Temperature*