Comparative Morphology and Ecology of the Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771) in Two Artifical Lakes (Krupac and Slano) from Montenegro

Abstract

In Montenegro, a herpetofaunal species richness has not translated into detailed ecological studies. An example is the marsh frog, one of the most common amphibians in Montenegro, which has insufficient information on its population and ecological structure, including feeding ecology. This study compared the morphological and ecological (diet, type of growth and condition) profiles of marsh frogs from two artificial lakes (Krupac and Slano) located in the central region of Montenegro. The comparison of morphometric ratios between localities revealed that two indices show the weak discrimination between populations. The dietary composition of the marsh frog, from studied artificial lakes, is similar to that of populations from natural habitats. Obtained results showed that marsh frogs from Lake Krupac have a higher growth rate than those from Lake Slano.