Table 3. Growth in Frogs Marked as Young and Recaptured as Small
Adults.
| Individual and sex | Dates of capture | Length in mm. | Probable time of metamorphosis |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 ♀ | August 28, 1951 | 21.5 | Mid-July, 1951 |
| May 5, 1952 | 23 | ||
| July 3, 1952 | 32 | ||
| August 31, 1952 | 33 | ||
| No. 2 ♀ | June 8, 1950 | 25 | Late July, 1949 |
| May 24, 1951 | 31 | ||
| July 30, 1951 | 34 | ||
| June 24, 1952 | 35 | ||
| No. 3 ♂ | August 31, 1951 | 24 | Late June, 1951 |
| May 23, 1953 | 32 | ||
The trend of growth after attainment of minimum adult size is also well shown by the records of marked individuals recaptured. Many of these were marked while they were still small so that their approximate ages are known. For those recaptured in their second year, after one hibernation, length averaged 30.92 mm. Some of this group were young metamorphosed late the preceding summer and still far short of adult size (as small as 23 mm.) when recaptured. Others were relatively large, up to 33 mm. A group of 22 recaptured frogs known to be in their third year averaged 33.3 mm. (males 31.9, females 35.3, excluding four individuals of undetermined
sex). Fifteen other recaptured frogs were known to be in their fourth year at least, and some probably were older, as they were already large adults when first examined. These 15 averaged 36.6 mm. (males 34.7, females 37.9 mm.). Size was similar in a sample of 58 individuals intercepted en route to the breeding pond in heavy rains of June and August, 1954. The 38 males in this sample ranged in size from 30 mm. to 38 mm., averaging 34.5. The 20 females ranged from 34 mm. to 40 mm., averaging 37.65. The large average and maximum size in this sample of a breeding population may be typical after periods of drought years have prevented successful reproduction. Summer drought in 1952 and 1953 prevented breeding in those years, or, at least, it drastically reduced the numbers of young produced. One-year-old and two-year-old frogs may not have been represented at all in the sample of 58. Three-year-old frogs presumably made up a substantial part of the sample, since 1951 was a year of successful breeding.
