The Herpetological Journal

pp.39-45

Authors: J. R. Downie

Abstract: Several experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that foam made by hatched Leptodactylus fuscus tadpoles contains an inhibitor that maintains them in a state of developmental arrest. The results did not support the hypothesis. Tadpole-made foam did not inhibit the development of earlier stage L. fuscus, later stage L. fuscus or tadpoles of another species, Colostethus trinitatis, nor did removal from foam in itself release tadpoles from developmental arrest. Developmental arrest was found not to be obligate: tadpoles transferred to water at prearrest stages developed continuously through to later stages. Preliminary evidence suggested that transfer to water alone, irrespective of the presence of food, allowed tadpoles to bypass the arrest stage at least partially, possibly using their yolk reserves to continue development. The possibility that developmental arrest is mediated via Candida or Prototheca infection is briefly discussed.