T he reproductive cycles of the temperate zone Anura have been known for many years to correspond closely to seasonal changes in climate. Almost nothing, however, is known about the reproductive cycles of tropical amphibians. In the wet tropics the average temperature is almost constantly the same and the amount of rainfall, although usually undergoing seasonal variations, is never so slight as to cause drought conditions. Consequently, a constant supply of food is available. The breeding

more »

... of Amphibia in such an unchanging environment might be expected to differ significantly from those of the variable temperate zones. This report presents a study of the reproductive cycle of Bufo melanostictus Schneider in a truly tropical environment. The city of Djakarta, at the western end of the island of Java, where the animals were collected, lies about 6° S. Being so close to the equator, the days are about twelye hours long throughout the year. The climate of Djakarta is constantly warm and humid. The average monthly temperature throughout the year varies from about 26°C. to 28 °C.; the absolute maximum and minimum temperature range is from 18°C. to 36°C. The mean monthly relative humidity varies between 78% and 88%.