Behavioral responses of laboratory-reared and wild-caught Polypedates maculatus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) tadpoles to dietary cues from the carnivorous tadpoles of Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Anura: Dicroglossidae)

Abstract


 
 
 
 The behavioral responses of laboratory-reared and wild-caught tadpoles of Polypedates maculatus to predatory tadpoles of Hoplobatrachus tigerinus were studied in the laboratory. The predator’s diet-derived metabolites released in excreta of predator after consumption of P. maculatus tadpoles were used to simulate predation threat. Both laboratory-reared and wild-caught tadpoles of P. maculatus showed antipredator behavioral responses i.e., reduced swimming movements and overall time spent in swimming and had a higher burst speed in response to water borne dietary cues of predators. Further, the antipredator responses of wild-caught tadpoles were significantly higher than those exhibited by laboratory-reared tadpoles. The studythus shows that antipredator behavior in these tadpoles is innate. Further, an enhanced antipredator behavior of wild-caught tadpoles may suggest their prior experience with predators in natural waters.
 
 
 

Predatory influence of dragonfly larvae and water scorpions on eggs and tadpoles of Indosylvirana temporalis (Anura: Ranidae)

“…Amphibians, especially anurans (frogs), have complex life history strategies consisting of an aquatic and a terrestrial stage (Wilbur 1980). Eggs and larvae of most anurans are vulnerable to a wide range of predators including both invertebrates and vertebrates (Eterovick and Fernandes 2002, Johnson et al 2003, Portheault et al 2007, Burbano-Yandi et al 2018, Mogali 2018, Mogali et al 2020a. Anurans usually deposit their eggs either in temporary or permanent ponds or streams with continuous or intermittent flowing water (Hiragond and Saidapur 1999, Eterovick and Barata 2006, Mogali et al 2016, 2017, resulting in early developmental stages being highly vulnerable to predation (Alford, 1999).…”