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Predator-prey interactions of tadpoles in different layers of the water column

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Abstract

In aquatic ecosystems many biotic and abiotic factors influence predator–prey interactions directly or indirectly. In ephemeral pools the water level can change drastically, which may have a significant impact on predator–prey interactions, especially where ecological niches of predator(s) and prey comprise different layers of the water column. We tested the ability of benthic predatory Hoplobatrachus crassus tadpoles to detect their prey, tadpoles of the bottom-dweller Fejervarya syhadrensis and column-feeder Microhyla nilphamariensis, using visual and chemical cues, and the effect of a change in water level on the survival of the prey when exposed to H. crassus tadpoles. H. crassus tadpoles detected their prey using visual cues but not chemical ones (kairomones). Under the high-water-level condition, more M. nilphamariensis tadpoles survived than F. syhadrensis tadpoles. Under the low-water-level condition, predation levels did not differ for the two prey species. These results imply that H. crassus tadpoles hunt bottom-dwelling prey tadpoles using visual signals. M. nilphamariensis tadpoles escape the risk of predation from the bottom-dwelling predator mainly due to their ecological niche (the water column). These results showed that a change in water level can shift predation pressure between tadpoles residing in the different layers of a water column and determine the outcome of predator–prey interactions.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Savitribai Phule Pune University for their permission to use the laboratory facilities of the Department of Zoology, and the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB), Nagpur for permission to collect and maintain the animals in a laboratory for experimentation (MSBB/Desk-5/Appl/NOC/CR-275/1362/2015–16). We are grateful to two anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions on the previous versions of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India

    Samadhan Phuge

  2. A7 Siddhivinayak Appartments, 4/5 Jaymalanagar, Old Sangavi, Pune, 411027, India

    Samadhan Phuge & Anuja Phuge

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  1. Samadhan Phuge
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  2. Anuja Phuge
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Correspondence to Samadhan Phuge.

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The animal experimentation was performed following ethical guidelines established for animal usage by Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India.

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Phuge, S., Phuge, A. Predator-prey interactions of tadpoles in different layers of the water column. J Ethol 37, 197–202 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-019-00588-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-019-00588-4

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