Use of chemical cues in detection of conspecific predators and prey
by newts, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Notophthalmus viridescens</Emphasis> |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Alicia?MathisEmail author |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, Southwest Missouri State University, 65804 Springfield, MO, USA |
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Abstract: | Summary. Detection of heterospecific predators and prey
via chemical cues is well known, but only a few studies have
examined the potential for such discrimination in cannibalistic
systems. In newts, Notophthalmus viridescens, adults are
opportunistic predators of conspecific larvae. I used a laboratory
bioassay to determine whether larvae and adults distinguish
between chemical stimuli from members of the
different age classes. Larvae distinguished between chemical
stimuli from larvae and adults by decreasing their activity
only following exposure to stimuli from adults. Decreased
activity is consistent with an antipredator response in many
prey species, including larval newts. In contrast, adults
increased their activity and increased time spent in open
areas in response to stimuli from larvae, but not to stimuli
from adults. Increased activity is consistent with a feeding
response; adults also showed increased activity and
increased time in open areas in response to chemical stimuli
from familiar heterospecific prey (brine shrimp). The proximate
cue that allowed the newts to distinguish between the
different age classes is not associated with short-term
dietary differences because all stimulus animals were fed the
same prey. Stimulus strength was controlled by diluting the
stimulus solutions according to the volume of the stimulus
animal. Therefore, there appear to be intrinsic differences in
the chemical signatures of larval and adult newts. |
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Keywords: | Cannibalism intraspecific predation prey detection predator detection newts Amphibia |
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