Tadpoles in water...

[Aerlinn]

Why do tadoles living in a puddle of water sometimes die well before the water has comlpetely dried up? I think it'd have something to do with cell structure.

[MrMistery]

Could be a million reasons: starvation(unlikely since they become canibals), some kind of chemical infestation, etc
A probable cause may also be that the water, though still present is insuficient for their respiratory sistem. I don't know if you know this, but tadpoles don't have lungs like their parents, they have gills

[Aerlinn]

Well, since the question is in a section about cell structure, I thought it would be something to do with that? Like, eg, worms shrivel up when there's absolutely no water because water just leaves them... I dont know about tadpoles, though

[Aerlinn]

Does anyone know? =(

[Abstract]

It is as Mr. Mistery said: there could be any number of reasons.

I'd guess that the water became too polluted; tadpoles would constantly be pumping ammonia out into the water. In a small environment, such as a puddle, it could probably reach lethal limits relatively quickly.

[Ken Ramos]

All the afore mentioned answers are all quite good and valid but I offer that due to the population of tadpoles, which are usually quite numerous, the level of dissolved oxygen decreases with respiration. Thus the tadpoles probably suffocate.

[Linn]

Yes, My thought exactly
not enough oxygen
and the water probably too hot.

[Ken Ramos]

Lynne replied:

Yes, My thought exactly
not enough oxygen
and the water probably too hot.

Temperature does play an important role in the waters ability to maintain a healthy degree of dissolved oxygen. The cooler the water is, the greater its ability to hold more oxygen. Mountain trout streams are a good example of this.

[Aerlinn]

That helps, thanks everyone