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Factors determining tadpole vulnerability to predators: can prior experience compensate for a suboptimal shape?

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Abstract

We investigated the role of constitutive morphology and previous experience in predator avoidance in two anuran species associated with different larval habitats. In Rana temporaria, deeper tails and larger body size conferred selective advantage against dragonfly predation. Previous experience with predators had a positive influence on the survival of R. temporaria tadpoles equivalent to predator selection. By contrast, survival in Bufo bufo seems unrelated to tail shape or experience. This suggests that B. bufo lacks constitutive morphological defenses against insect predators, and that morphological and behavioral defenses could result more effective than chemical deterrents for these insect predators. A key novelty of this study is the observation that Rana tadpoles having prior experience with predators have an enhanced success in further encounters, and this occurs before the morphological induced defense has been established. This induced modification for R. temporaria, and its lack of for B. bufo, may be an important determinant of larval survival.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Neil Metcalfe, Tim Halliday, Penelope Watt, and two anonymous reviewers for constructive comments on this manuscript. This study was supported by grants DGES-PB96-0861 and REN-2001-2647 from the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia and Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia (MEC/MCYT), and FEDER funds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecology Unit, Department of Biology of Organisms and Systems, University of Oviedo, E-33071, Oviedo, Spain

    David Álvarez & Alfredo G. Nicieza

  2. Department of Functional Biology, University of Oviedo, E-33071, Oviedo, Spain

    David Álvarez

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  1. David Álvarez
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  2. Alfredo G. Nicieza
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Álvarez, D., Nicieza, A.G. Factors determining tadpole vulnerability to predators: can prior experience compensate for a suboptimal shape? . Evol Ecol 20, 523–534 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-006-9114-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-006-9114-z

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