Lack of functional link in the tadpole morphology induced by predators

Current Zoology
María Gabriela PerottiDebora Lina Moreno Azocar

Abstract

Most studies of predator-induced plasticity have focused on documenting how prey species respond to predators by modifying phenotypic traits and how traits correlate with fitness. We have previously shown thatPleurodema thaultadpoles exposed to the dragonflyRhionaeschna variegataresponded strongly by showing morphological changes, less activity, and better survival than non-exposed tadpoles. Here, we tested whether there is a functional link between morphological plasticity and increased survival in the presence of predators. Tadpoles that experienced predation risk were smaller, less developed, and much less active than tadpoles without this experience. Burst speed did not correlate significantly with morphological changes and predator-induced deeper tails did not act as a lure to divert predator strikes away from the head. Although we have previously found that tadpoles with predator-induced morphology survive better under a direct predator threat, our results on the functional link between morphology and fitness are not conclusive. Our results suggest that inP. thaultadpoles (1) burst speed is not important to evade predators, (2) those exposed to predators reduce their activity, and (3) morphological changes do not divert p...Continue Reading

References

Jun 16, 2004·Oecologia·Osamu Kishida, Kinya Nishimura
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