Abstract: To investigate the impact of urbanization on amphibian health status, adult male and female Chinese toads (Bufo gargarizans) were captured alive in urban central areas and rural areas of Hefei. Using morphometric measurements and abdominal venous blood sampling, we compared the differences of in body mass, body length, and the ratio of body mass to body length, percentages of various subtypes of leukocytes, the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (N/L), and serum bactericidal capacity across different regions and sexes. The results showed that both urban males and females showed significantly longer body lengths than rural counterparts, while there were no regional differences in body mass and the ratio of body mass to body length. Female toads displayed lower percentages of both eosinophils and basophils compared to males in urban central areas, while the percentage of lymphocytes was higher in urban central areas than in rural areas. There were no regional variations in percentages of neutrophils and monocytes, as well as N/L. In males, none of the above-mentioned white blood cell parameters or the N/L ratio showed regional differences. Serum bactericidal capacity was significantly lower in urban central areas than in rural areas. Within the same region, there were no sex differences in body mass, body length, and the ratio of body mass to body length. In rural areas, female toads had higher percentages of eosinophils and basophils than males, while the percentages of lymphocytes were lower in females than in males, and no sex differences were found in the percentages of neutrophils and monocytes, serum bactericidal capacity, and N/L. In urban central areas, there were no sex differences in any of the above-mentioned subtypes of leukocytes, serum bactericidal capacity, and N/L. These findings suggest that in the specific selected areas, urbanization in Hefei may primarily affect the physiological adaptation and therefore the survival of female toads.

Key words: Bufo gargarizans, urbanization, body size, leukocyte, serum bactericidal capacity