溫度生理學資料是評估氣候暖化對外溫動物影響所必需。行為選溫是兩棲類幼體因應環境溫度變化的重要策略之一，選擇理想的溫度會提升牠們的成長與發育。理論上，蝌蚪的溫度偏好會受馴化溫度而提高，然而，目前關於生活在不同微棲地蝌蚪的行為選溫偏好如何反應棲地溫度的升高，特別是反應的程度如何(即溫度馴化能力)的資料相當有限。本研究計畫擬以兩年時間，比較臺灣低海拔常見的16種繁殖在不同季節與在不同類型的微棲地的蛙類蝌蚪的溫度偏好、溫度偏好的溫度馴化能力，以及選溫能力，以評估氣候暖化對不同種蝌蚪的衝擊。我預期不同種蝌蚪的溫度偏好、溫度偏好的溫度馴化能力以及選溫能力的表現，與成體的繁殖季節以及微棲地類型有關。更重要的是，我預期選溫偏好較不受馴化溫度上升而影響的蝌蚪種類未來受氣候暖化影響會較大，因為牠們可能無法即時反應微棲地溫度環境的改變去調整溫度偏好以適應新的環境，如此我們會預期暖化會這些蝌蚪的對族群產生一定的衝擊。
Data of thermal physiology is necessary if we want to predict the potential effects of global warming on ectotherms. Using behavioral thermoregulation is one of important strategies to cope with environmental temperature fluctuations in amphibain larvae. By selecting preferred water temperatures, tadpoles can maximize their growth and development. In theroy, tadpoles acclimated in higher water temperature have a higher thermal preference. However, few studies have addressed how tadpoles respond to increasing microhabitat temperatures in behavioral thermoregulation, especially the degree to which tadoles are able to adjust their thermal sensitivity (acclimation capacity). I propose a two-year project to evaluate the potential effects of global warming on sixteen tadpole species of Taiwanese frogs breeding in different seasons and in different types of microhabitats by comparing their temperature preference, acclimation capacity of temperature preference, and precision of temperature selection. I predict that the performances of temperature preference, acclimation capacity of temperature preference, and precision of temperature selection of different tadpole species will be relative to the breeding season of frogs and the types of microhabitats they live. More importantly, I predict that tadpole species with a less acclimation capacity in temperature preference will be susceptive to climate change because they may not adjust preferred temperature in response to temperature variation of microhabitats for adaptation to new environment.
