Influenza dei cambiamenti climatici sulle migrazioni riproduttive di rana agile (Rana dalmatina) nel Delta del Po

The seasonal weather changes are the basis of physiological events that determine the phenology of amphibians. With this work we have examined how climate variables affect the reproductive activity and larval development of agile frog (Rana dalmatina) in the Park of the Po River Delta and what impact they would have on the population studied climate change The aim is to identify a predictive model of correlation-temperature day of arrival at the breeding sites of adult and larval development of agile frog in terms of a medium to long-term monitoring of climatic influences on the life cycle of this species.The agile frogs begin to move to the end of winter days with an average air temperature above 8 degrees C, together with the conditions of the presence of precipitation and the lower temperature range. The increase of the water temperature, in turn enhances the beginning and the duration of larval development. A direct effect of rising temperatures could thus be the advance of reproductive activity. Climate models show the last 50 years a trend of rising temperatures and a decrease in rainfall in the months when the agile frog playing, resulting in a shorter duration hydroperiod. This may be a critical factor for the survival of the agile frog populations in the Po River Delta. If climate trends observed in the Po River Delta might be confirmed in the coming years, may be expected in advance of the breeding season of the agile frog.