Date of Award

1958

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Biology

Abstract

The present investigation is a comparison of the blood oxygen capacity in three species of frogs: a semi-terrestrial form R. pippins, the meadow frog; and two aquatic forms, R. clamitans, the green frog; and R. catesbeiana, the bullfrog. The habitats or these frogs are described by Wright and Wright (1949) as follows: R. pipiens inhabits swampy marsh lands, upland backwaters, overflows, and ponds in the spring. In summer it is found in swamp lands, grassy woodlands, or in cultivated hay and grain fields. In winter it hibernates in pools or marshes. It has been found as far as 200 yards from any permanent body of water. R. clamitans is strictly aquatic, living in large, deep ponds and reservoirs as well as in smaller ponds and pools. R. catesbeiana is also strictly aquatic and inhabits millponds, hydraulic lakes, reservoirs, and kindred bodies of water.

The primary concern of this study was to compare blood oxygen capacity in the aforementioned three species of frogs in regard to the following parameters: body weight, habitat and sex.Two other parameters were studied as the investi­gation progressed: (1) hemoglobin concentrations were determined since the oxygen capacity of the blood is directly proportional to its hemoglobin content, and (2) erythrocyte counts were made to further substantiate blood oxygen capa­city data.

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