Physiological Analysis of Eleutherodactylus Specimens in West-Central Puerto Rico, 2021-2022

Amphibians are vulnerable to extinction owing, partly, to altered physiological processes induced by projected global warming and drying. Understanding the mechanisms behind their responses is essential to formulate adaptation strategies for their conservation. Puerto Rico harbors 15 endemic Eleutherodactylus frogs considered vulnerable to extinction due to poor vagility and sensitivity to environmental variability. Herein are reported the effects of four temperature treatments (15, 20, 25, and 30 degrees Centigrade) on metabolic rates associated with specific dynamic action (SDA) and standard metabolic rates (SMR) of four representative species of Eleutherodactylus employing a respirometer. All species in either experiment increased [...]