Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects
Date of Award
Spring 2025
Document Type
Honors Paper
Degree Name
Zoo and Conservation Science-BS
Department
Biology & Earth Science
Advisor
Dr. Sarah Bouchard
First Committee Member
Dr. David Sheridan
Second Committee Member
Dr. Andrew Mills
Keywords
gray treefrogs, growth, development, copper, aquashade
Subject Categories
Higher Education | Other Animal Sciences | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology | Zoology
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms, often exacerbated by nutrient pollution, pose significant threats to aquatic ecosystems (Hallegraeff 2003). Two commonly used treatments for mitigating algae growth in ponds are copper sulfate and Aquashade. However, both treatments have potential ecological consequences, particularly for sensitive amphibian species. This study explores the effects of copper sulfate and Aquashade on the gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor) from egg to juvenile froglet. Specifically, we investigated the impacts of algae treatments on light, temperature, and Hyla versicolor survivorship, growth, and time to metamorphosis. Copper sulfate significantly reduced egg and early hatchling survivorship and produced froglets with smaller snout-vent lengths (SVLs). Unexpectedly, there was a trend in larvae treated with Aquashade metamorphosing faster into froglets with larger SVLs. As anticipated, increased food availability positively influenced froglet growth, with larvae that received supplemental food metamorphosing into froglets with larger SVLs. Aquashade mesocosms had significantly cooler temperatures than control and copper sulfate mesocosms and exhibited a trend in lower light levels. In a 10-week indoor feeding and growth experiment, we observed a behavior similar to compensatory growth as froglets reared without supplemental food retained mass better than froglets reared with supplemental food. This study reveals the complex relationship of algae treatments on gray treefrogs, offering valuable insights to better pond management practices.
Licensing Permission
Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use
Recommended Citation
Fedder, Lauren E., "The Effects of Pond Algal Deterrents on the Growth and Development of Gray Treefrogs, Hyla Versicolor" (2025). Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects. 190.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_honor/190
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