Ecological and Reproductive Behavior in Gonads of Bufo viridis in Rajasthan, India
Anisha Sharma *
Department of Zoology, Lords University, Alwar, India.
Priyanka Sharma
Department of Zoology, Lords School of Science, Lords University, Alwar, India.
K.K. Yadav
Department of Zoology, Agarwal PG College, Jaipur, India.
S.C. Joshi
Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Amphibians play a major role in both the environment and the economy. In addition to being strong predators of a variety of agricultural pests and insects that spread illness, amphibians also serve a beneficial role in reducing pest damage to crops and vegetables. Furthermore, toads are highly effective bioindicators of declining environmental conditions. According to life-history theory, trade-offs between survival and reproduction are essential for organisms to adapt to their various environments. According to our findings, there were notable demographic differences in Bufo viridis testes size.
As the relative testes size did not change with altitude or latitude, we were unable to identify any geographic trends that would account for the diversity in testes size. The size of testes is influenced by temperature variations, even if rainfall has no direct effect on testes size. This suggests that male reproductive investment is reduced in habitats with temperature fluctuations, which has significant conservation implications for amphibians. As they mature, ovaries get bigger and turn from pinkish white to black in color. Histological examination shows developing follicles in the female gonads of three months old and sperm cells in the male gonads.
Keywords: Bufo viridis, bioindicators, temperature, rainfall, gonads