The Characterization and Activity of Protease Enzyme on Different Days of Tadpoles [Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771)]

Abstract

In this study, protease enzyme activity of Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771) tadpoles was determined during the larval period starting from 25 Gosner stage (1960). When the P. ridibundus tadpoles reached the 25 Gosner stage (1960) on the 22nd day, the sampling was continued until themetamorphosis was completed by sampling at 5-day intervals. Initial average weight and lengthof the tadpoles were 0.076 g and 6.42 mm, respectively. The tadpoles were fed with pellet feedthe size of 2 mm and 39% crude protein content twice a day in the morning and afternoon. Thedifferences in the protease activity between the 22nd day and the 62nd day of the metamorphosiswere found statistically significant (P