Reproductive ecology and oviposition site selection of marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) in Eastern Black Sea Region, Türkiye

Authors : Emel Çakır
Pages : 64-73
Doi:10.38059/biodiversity.1842565
View : 67 | Download : 164
Publication Date : 2025-12-31
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :This study investigates the reproductive ecology and oviposition site selection of Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) in Darıca Stream, located in Trabzon Province, Eastern Black Sea Region, Türkiye. Field observations were conducted at 3-4 day intervals from March to August 2008 along a 420 m section of the stream. The present study was conducted to determine the timing of reproductive activity, the spatial distribution and substrate attachment of egg clutches, clutch size, and larval hatching success. Male calling activity began in March, while oviposition started in early April, reached a peak in May, and ended in late July. A total of 968 egg clutches were documented, with 91.1% deposited along the stream banks and 8.9% in rainwater-formed puddles. Most clutches (81.5%) were found at water depths of less than 10 cm, and 57.2% were located within 20 cm of the stream bank, mainly in shallow, stagnant microhabitats. The majority of egg clutches (94.4%) were attached to substrates such as grasses, stones, aquatic vegetation, moss, or organic debris, while only 5.6% were floating freely on the water surface. Egg clutch sizes ranged from 132 to 1135 eggs, and the mean hatching success under laboratory conditions was 84.4%. In contrast, no adult frogs or egg clutches were observed in a downstream river section close to the sea, where salinity, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids were significantly higher. These findings indicate that P. ridibundus preferentially selects shallow freshwater habitats with low salinity and minimal water flow for reproduction. This study provides the first comprehensive account of the reproductive ecology of P. ridibundus in the Eastern Black Sea Region and offers essential baseline data for understanding local population dynamics and supporting regional conservation efforts.
Keywords : Pelophylax ridibundus, Üreme ekolojisi, üreme ekolojisi, Yumurtlama, yumurta kümesi, doğu karadeniz bölgesi

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