Risk of predation and behavioural response in three anuran species: influence of tadpole size and predator type |
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Authors: | Fabián Gastón Jara and María Gabriela Perotti |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratorio de Fotobiolog?a-INIBIOMA (CONICET), Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, 8400 San Carlos de Bariloche, R?o Negro, Argentina |
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Abstract: | Many species alter their activity, microhabitat use, morphology and life history in response to predators. Predation risk
is related to predator size and palatability of prey among others factors. We analyzed the predation risk of three species
of tadpoles that occur in norwestern Patagonia, Argentina: Pleurodema thaul, Pleurodema bufoninum and Rhinella spinulosa. We sampled aquatic insect predators in 18 ponds to determine predator–tadpole assemblage in the study area. In laboratory
conditions, we analysed the predation rate imposed by each predator on each tadpole species at different tadpole sizes. Finally,
we tested whether tadpoles alter their activity in the presence of chemical and visual cues from predators. Small P. thaul and P. bufoninum tadpoles were the most vulnerable prey species, while small R. spinulosa tadpoles were only consumed by water bugs. Dragonflies and water bugs were the most dangerous tadpole predators. Small P. thaul tadpoles reduced their activity when they were exposed to all predators, while large tadpoles only reduced the activity in
the presence of large predators (dragonfly larvae and water bugs). Small P. bufoninum tadpoles reduced the activity when they were exposed to beetle larvae and dragonfly larvae, while large tadpoles only reduced
activity when they were exposed to larger predators (water bugs and dragonfly larvae). R. spinulosa tadpoles were the less sensitive to presence of predators, only larger tadpoles responded significantly to dragonfly larvae
by reducing their activity. We conclude that behavioural responses of these anuran species were predator-specific and related
to the risk imposed by each predator. |
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