Growth and Metamorphosis of Rana tigrina Larvae: Effects of Food Level and Larval Density

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Abstract
R. tigrina (Daud) larvae were reared at 4 densities and 4 food levels in a complete block randomized design to study the effect of food abundance and population density on growth and metamorphosis of larvae. Growth of individual larvae grown in optimum food fits a polynomial regression. When food is in short supply the growth curve assumes an S shape. Analysis of variance shows that food level and density act independently and affect the transformation size. In high density, increased food favors a polynomial growth curve. Also, grouping favors the growth rate. The general response to food supply/demand ratio is to reach the height of the curve at unity. Increasing density tends to lower the height of the curve.