Ecological and morphological characteristics of Bombina variegata ventral pigmentation variation in Poloniny National Park (Slovakia)

Past studies on aposematic ventral color pattern of Bombina variegata suggested that its shape is controlled also by abiotic conditions. In this study we investigated the effect of sex, body length, deforested area around ponds, elevation and pond depth on the shape and size of ventral melanin pigmentation. Toads (n = 106) from 29 locations were measured and their ventral ornaments photographed. Ventral colour patterns were quantified using quantitative image analysis. To find which factor influences the variation in coloration we used PCA analysis. Differences in size and shape of ventral ornaments between sexes were not significant. A weak signal of PCA analysis showed smaller amounts of melanin spots in toads found in ponds surrounded by larger deforested areas. Possible causes of this phenomenon were discussed.