CHANGES IN THE HEPATOSOMATIC INDEX AND CONDITION FACTOR IN THE POPULATIONS OF PELOPHYLAX RIDIBUNDUS (AMPHIBIA: RANIDAE) FROM ANTHROPOGENICALLY POLLUTED BIOTOPES IN SOUTHERN BULGARIA. PART II

G. S. Popgeorgiev, N. H. Mehterov, Zh. M. Zhelev

Abstract: The values of the hepatosomatic indexes (HIS) and the condition factor (CF) in populations of Pelophylax ridibundus living in conditions of anthropogenic pollution in Southern Bulgaria were studied and analyzed. The studied populations inhabit three biotopes: a relatively clean (control) one and two contaminated ones (domestic sewage pollution and heavy metal pollution). It was established that in individuals of both sexes in conditions of contamination the relative weight of the liver increases. In contaminated biotopes the CF values are lower in individuals of both sexes in comparison with those of the control one.

Keywords: anthropogenic pollution; condition factor; hepatosomatic indexs; Pelophylax ridibundus

Date published: 2017-09-14