Orientation in the European common frogRana temporariaduring the first wintering migration

Abstract

The orientation of naive animals during their first migration is extensively studied in birds and sea turtles, whereas the data for other groups such as amphibians are still scarce. To date, it is unknown whether young-of-the-year anurans perform a random or directional search for the hibernation sites, and what cues (global or local) do they use. We conducted a series of field experiments to study the orientation behavior of juvenile common frogs during their first wintering migration. We captured 1614 froglets from two subpopulations with different directions of migration and assessed their orientation in large circular outdoor arenas (20 m in diameter) on the opposite sides of the river. Before the migration, froglets used local cues and moved back towards the forest (summer habitat). At the start of migration, the froglets do not move randomly: they navigate towards the river using local cues; later, however, before approaching the hibernation site, they memorize the compass direction of migration and follow it using global cues. Orientation along a memorized compass heading begins to dominate in the hierarchy of orientation mechanisms, and this predominance is maintained even after reaching the hibernation site. Unlike in birds, no innate direction of migration was found.

The Circadian Rhythm of the Behavior and Gut Microbiota in Dybowski’s Frogs (Rana dybowskii) during the Autumn Migration Period

“…As a poikilothermic organism, frogs reduce their activity in response to the decline in temperature after 22:00, and this serves as a primary factor in the observed reduction in frog abundance during the latter part of the night. This behavior distinguishes R. dybowskii from Rana temporaria [ 41 ], which can complete its migration during the day due to the relatively higher temperature and humidity levels in its habitat.…”

Birds are easier to trick: an effect of magnetic field manipulation on migratory orientation of Nathusius’ pipistrelle in the circular release box

“…Every year, millions of animals migrate in search of food, shelter, and mating opportunities. Migration is well-developed in different classes of vertebrates and invertebrates as well: insects (Menz et al, 2022; Stefanescu et al, 2016), fish (Béguer-Pon et al, 2015), amphibian (Shakhparonov and Ogurtsov, 2016; Shakhparonov et al, 2022), reptiles (Luschi et al, 1998), birds (Salomonsen, 1967), and mammals can perform long-distant annual movements. In mammals, annual seasonal migrations can be performed by bats (Alcalde et al, 2021; Hutterer et al, 2005; Steffens et al, 2004; Vasenkov et al, 2022), whose navigational abilities even today remain extremely poorly understood in comparison with birds.…”

MAGNETIC ORIENTATION IN ANURANS: A CASE STUDY ON Rhinella arenarum (ANURA: BUFONIDAE)

“…Animals exploit numerous sources of information while migrating, homing, or moving around their habitats (Freake et al, 2005;Lohmann et al, 2007;Shakhparonov et al, 2022). Among these, the Earth's magnetic field (EMF) is a particularly pervasive environmental feature (Skiles, 1985).…”