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Amphibian study reveals parental care influence on offspring
The marsupial tree frog (Gastrotheca riobambae) has a unique breeding behaviour in having a pouch to carry eggs and tadpoles in.

Females that abandon their young tend to produce a large number of small eggs.

A new study led by researchers at Queen’s University Belfast has uncovered the various ways that amphibians care for their young determine how many eggs they lay.

When amphibians lay their eggs, the majority desert their young. Among those amphibians that do stick around, parental care can vary significantly.

Writing in PLOS Biology, researchers show for the first time that certain species with parental responsibilities, such as the marsupial frog, invest differently in egg and clutch size than species that abandon their young, such as the common frog.

The team analysed some 800 species of amphibians from across the globe and found that amphibians that possess direct development and lay their eggs on land had smaller clutches and bigger eggs.

Their study also revealed that some elements of parental care and the habitat in which eggs and tadpoles develop define how many eggs females lay and how big they are. For example, larger eggs take more energy from the mother to produce and therefore arrive in small clutches.

The study also found that since predators eat eggs, females that abandon their young tend to produce a large number of small eggs. If the eggs are being looked after by the mother, father or both parents, mothers alter the numbers and size of eggs they lay.

How many eggs and how big they are is ultimately dependent on the type of care provided by the parents, researchers said. 

“Our work in this study demonstrates that species such as some Malagasy poison frogs with terrestrial eggs have larger eggs in smaller clutches, but different forms of parental care have different influence on the trade-off between egg size and egg number,” commented lead author Dr Isabella Capellini.

“For example, species that brood their eggs or tadpoles on or inside the body, can only care for few large eggs likely because the parent’s body has limited room. However, those that guard their eggs, can afford to protect larger eggs without reducing clutch size. 

“Instead, frogs that feed their larvae have few small eggs, probably because constant feeding after hatching makes producing initially large eggs unnecessary. These results have important implications as they demonstrate that considering the diversity in care forms is important.”

More than 40 per cent of the world’s amphibian population is at risk of extinction, with their decline exceeding any other group of animals on the planet. 

“Our study suggests that amphibians with diverse forms of care may be under different risk of extinction,” said Dr Capellini. “We will build upon the knowledge we now have to better understand whether amphibians with diverse forms of care may be under different risk of extinction.” 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.