Data from: Sublethal effects of a mass mortality agent: Pathogen-mediated plasticity of growth and development in a widespread North American amphibian

Amphibians exhibit diverse responses to environmental challenges, but
their responses to infection risk remain poorly understood. This study
investigates how the presence of ranavirus, a deadly viral pathogen,
affects growth, development, and resource allocation in wood frog (Rana
sylvatica [Lithobates sylvaticus]) tadpoles. Using three years of pond
survey data from a wood frog metapopulation in northeastern Connecticut,
USA, we compared tadpole physiological rates across three scenarios:
ranavirus-free ponds, ponds with sustained ranavirus infection, and ponds
experiencing ranavirus die-offs. In ranavirus-positive ponds, tadpoles
exhibited increased growth and resource allocation early in their
development. These differences waned following die-off events in some
ponds but persisted where widescale infection did not lead to die-off.
This study provides evidence that an important disease agent appears to
induce growth and developmental responses in its host that may help
tadpoles survive severe infection by providing a buffer against the
associated energetic demands. Alternative hypotheses, such as size-biased
mortality, should be evaluated in experiments aimed at evaluating
underlying mechanisms.