In nature, prey are exposed to multiple predators simultaneously. We examined the effects of the cues of two potential predators, mosquitofish and odonate larvae, individually and in combination on the behavior of green frog (Rana clamitans) tadpoles. In addition to examining the behavioral response of green frog tadpoles to multiple predators, we examined variation in behavior among tadpoles from different egg masses (i.e. different sibships). Sibships differed in activity level and there was a significant predator cue by sibship interaction. Two sibships were relatively more active in the control and odonate predator cue treatments but showed reduced activity in treatments containing mosquitofish cues, whereas the remaining sibships showed consistently low levels of activity in all predator cue treatments, including the control. The use of the vegetated side of the aquarium did not differ between tadpoles exposed to the different predator cues. Sibship had no effect on tadpoles’ use of the vegetated side of the aquarium, and there was no interaction between sibship and predator cue. Our results suggest that green frogs did not respond to simultaneous exposure to multiple predator cues any differently than they did to exposure to individual predator cues. More importantly, our results suggest variation, possibly genetically based, in behavioral responses of tadpoles to predators, and thus selection on these behaviors is possible. Of particular interest is that there was variation in behavioral responses to a non‐native predator (Gambusia affinis), suggesting an evolutionary response to an invasive predator is possible.
2011) Effects of mosquitofish and ammonium nitrate on activity of green frog (Lithobates clamitans) tadpoles: a mesocosm experiment, Journal of Freshwater Ecology, 26:1, 59-63,We conducted a mesocosm experiment that allowed us to examine the effects of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and ammonium nitrate on the activity of green frog (Lithobates clamitans) tadpoles under the more natural conditions of a mesocosm as opposed to a laboratory experiment. The proportion of active tadpoles was lower in the presence of mosquitofish than when mosquitofish were not present. There was no effect of ammonium nitrate or interaction between mosquitofish and ammonium nitrate on tadpole activity. These results suggest that green frog tadpoles reduce their activity levels in the presence of mosquitofish, but the ability of ammonium nitrate to mediate the outcome of potential predatorprey interactions between green frog tadpoles and mosquitofish appears to be limited, at least at the ecologically relevant concentration we studied.
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