In this work, I assessed the effects of toe-clipping on sprint speed and run rate (number of runs per meter) of Epidalea calamita toads from agricultural land and their natural habitat. I videotaped toads in individual trials along a linear runway. Afterwards, I randomly assigned toads to two groups: control toads, which were not clipped, and experimental toads, whose third toe in each hind limb was immediately clipped. One hour later, I videotaped a second trial. Sprint speed in the first and second trials was similar in both groups. Likewise, run rate was not affected by toe-clipping. Sex and habitat had no effect on the effect of toe-clipping on locomotor performance. These findings suggest that toe-clipping should not increase toads' risk to become prey or hinder searching for prey or mates.
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1 November 2018
Toe-Clipping Does Not Affect Toad's Short-Term Locomotor Performance
Francisco Javier Zamora-Camacho
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Annales Zoologici Fennici
Vol. 55 • No. 4-6
November 2018
Vol. 55 • No. 4-6
November 2018