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Influence of Salinity on Predator–Prey Interactions between the Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and Larvae of the Green Toad (Bufotes variabilis)

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Abstract—

We investigated the effects of the Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) predation and increased salinity on larvae of the Green Toad (Bufotes variabilis) in two levels of fish density and two levels of salinity. The experiment was carried out within 28 days and included the following treatments: low fish density × low salinity, low fish density × high salinity, high fish density × low salinity, high fish density × high salinity, and a control treatment. Except for the impact of fish density and salinity on survival, B. variabilis was tolerant of both fish density and increased salinity and there was no interaction between fish density and increased salinity in term of growth and development. The green toad larvae treated in high salinity × high fish density revealed also malformations and abdominal edema.

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  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University, 6714967346, Bagabrisham, Kermanshah, Iran

    S. Yaghobi, S. Vaissi, Z. Taheri Khas & M. Sharifi

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Yaghobi, S., Vaissi, S., Khas, Z.T. et al. Influence of Salinity on Predator–Prey Interactions between the Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and Larvae of the Green Toad (Bufotes variabilis). Russ J Ecol 51, 275–281 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1067413620030157

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