Measuring metabolic rates, first round.

The rate of development of newts eggs and larvae  depends on various factors, among which temperature has the greatest influence. Higher temperatures lead to an increased rate of biochemical reactions that are important for cell growth and differentiation, whereby development occurs faster. The presence of food and its quality as well as the degree of desiccation are also some of the factors that influence the growth and development of larvae. 

Spring is coming and with it the field trip. This time we were in the birthplace of the Balkan crested newt Triturus ivanbureschi from Brebrevnice near Dimitrovgrad  . The captured newts were brought to the Institute to breed and lay their eggs. After that, they will return home.

We got first eggs! The bluish to greenish eggs have a series of transparent protective membranes. Females of large-bodied newts lay already fertilized eggs, investing time and energy to individually wrap each egg in the leaves of underwater vegetation and provide them with additional protection. The females of the two species of large-bodied newts that we monitor in the experiment differ in the number and size of eggs – Triturus macedonicus lays more and larger eggs than T. ivanbureschi. In the experiment, during the period of fertilization and egg laying, females and males breed in "artificial ponds" in the courtyard of the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković". We collect eggs daily and transfer them to the laboratory where they continue to develop under controlled conditions, to prevent the influence of various external factors, primarily temperature, on the rate of development.

Spring has arrived and with it the awakening of our sleeping newts. After 4 months spent in hibernation, it's time to slowly wake up and prepare for reproduction. Each newt has its own name and a unique combination of black spots on the belly, based on which their identification is possible. After identification, the newts are distributed among the tubs where mating takes place. In the bathtub, in addition to tapes for gluing eggs that imitate underwater vegetation, there are also bricks for hiding as well as floating ones resting covers.

Let the game begin!