MSGID: 1:317/3 62e17d66   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    EPOD - a service of USRA   
      
   The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes   
   and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and   
   archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory   
   captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The   
   community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and   
   relevant links.   
      
      
    Tadpoles - Early Amphibian Life Cycle   
      
      July 27, 2022   
      
       IMG_20220501_161653308_epod   
      
      Photographer:  Michela Meda   
      
      Summary Author:  Michela Meda   
      
      The photo above shows tadpoles of the  common toad (Bufo bufo) found   
      in Eurasia and in the north-west of Africa. These unique creatures are   
      recognizable by their black color and tail that is relatively   
      undeveloped compared to its body.   
      
      The  tadpole is the larval stage of annular  amphibians, such as   
      frogs and toads. This early life stage more closely resembles a small   
      fish than to an amphibian. During tadpole stage, the body is   
      characterized by two distinct traits: a roundish form- including the   
      head- that is paired with a long, flexible tail. In contrast to adult   
      amphibians, tadpole breathes through  gills and generally eats   
      vegetables. Following the tadpole stage of life, an amphibian will have   
      to undergo a process of metamorphosis that will lead it to the final   
      adult form.   
      
      Some species of frogs that lay a  gelatinous mass of eggs in the   
      water will hatch within about two weeks. Following hatching, the   
      tadpoles will gather in many nearby banks. This is a survival strategy   
      since the coordinated movements of a large cluster of tadpoles can   
      scare off a potential predator. In the time following hatching, the   
      tadpole will grow, begin to develop hind limbs followed by front legs.   
      In addition, the amphibians will change their physiology and diets   
      shifting from  vegetarian to carnivorous as well as develop   
      rudimentary lungs during the time their gills begin to be absorbed.   
        * Comerio, Varese, Italy Coordinates: 45.8378, 8.7449   
      
   Related EPODs   
      
       Tadpoles - Early Amphibian Life Cycle  Great Salt Lake - From   
      Birds to Brine Shrimp  Trapped in a Spider Web  California Quail   
      After a Snowstorm  Eyelash Viper  Hiking to Eagle Peak in   
      Yosemite National Park   
       More...   
      
   Animal Links   
      
        *  Animal Diversity Web   
        *  ARKive   
        *  BirdLife International   
        *  Bug Guide   
        *  Discover Life   
        *  Integrated Taxonomic Information System   
        *  Microbial Life Resources   
          Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the   
   -   
           Universities Space Research Association.   
      
   https://epod.usra.edu   
       
   --- up 21 weeks, 2 days, 21 minutes   
    * Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)   
   SEEN-BY: 15/0 106/201 114/705 123/120 129/330 331 153/7715 229/110   
   SEEN-BY: 229/111 112 113 317 400 426 428 470 664 700 292/854 298/25   
   SEEN-BY: 305/3 317/3 320/219 396/45   
   PATH: 317/3 229/426