Biology
Developmental Plasticity and the Timing of Amphibian Metamorphosis
Quick fact
Some amphibian tadpoles can accelerate metamorphosis by up to 20% when their pond begins to dry, even if they are still small, because the hormone corticosterone acts as an emergency signal that synergizes with thyroid hormone to speed up development.
Why this is interesting
Every spring, ponds fill with tadpoles—but they don't all turn into frogs on the same schedule. Some race to metamorphosis while others linger; what determines their pace?