Predator, but not conspecific, chemical cues influence pond selection by recently metamorphosed Iberian green frogs, Rana perezi

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (9) ◽  
pp. 1295-1299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adega Gonzalo ◽  
Carlos Cabido ◽  
Pedro Galán ◽  
Pilar López ◽  
José Martín
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
Snake Predators ◽  
Rana Perezi

In amphibians, adults and larvae have different ecological requirements that could force recently metamorphosed individuals to disperse. The presence of chemical cues of conspecifics and predators could provide information about habitat quality, which might influence the juveniles’ settlement decisions. We examined in the laboratory whether pond choice by recently metamorphosed Iberian green frogs ( Rana perezi Seoane, 1885) is influenced by the presence of chemical cues from conspecifics and (or) from predators in the water. Our results suggest that frogs were able to detect the presence of chemical cues of snake predators in the water and that they avoided entering such ponds. However, frogs did not show either attraction or avoidance of ponds with conspecific chemical cues. Thus, juvenile frogs may select their postmetamorphic territories based on the lack of predation risk, and possibly on some habitat features, but not on the presence of conspecifics.

scholarly journals Habitat features of settlement areas used by floaters of Bonelli’s and Golden Eagles

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
JESÚS CARO ◽  
DIEGO ONTIVEROS ◽  
MANUEL PIZARRO ◽  
JUAN M. PLEGUEZUELOS
Keyword(s):  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Habitat Heterogeneity ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
Bonelli’S Eagle ◽  
Declining Species ◽  
Dispersal Period ◽  
Settlement Areas

SummaryBonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus and Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos are two declining species, in which floaters tend to be located outside of breeding territories during the dispersal period, in so-called settlement areas. We studied settlement areas for both these long-lived raptors in the southern Iberian Peninsula, to gain a better understanding of the ecological requirements of the eagles during their long pre-adult stage, a period accounting for around 80% of the species’ mortality. Eagle abundance was calculated by road censuses, and habitat characteristics of settlement and non-settlement areas compared by General Discriminant Analysis (GDA) and Logistic Regression (LR). The best model of GDA and LR incorporated the abundance of main prey for eagles (rabbits, partridges) and orchard surface area, and explained 100% of eagle presence; the best model selected by GDA also included habitat heterogeneity. Both eagles tended to share settlement areas in the southern Iberian Peninsula and, when they did not, the mean annual temperature and slope appeared to explain the segregation between the two species. Management measures for the conservation of both threatened species during the dispersal period should be focused on identifying settlement areas, maintaining high prey densities and maximum habitat heterogeneity.

Responses of Golden Shiner Minnows to Chemical Cues from Snake Predators

Behaviour ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 135 (8) ◽  
pp. 1213-1228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renée Godard ◽  
Catherine Wannamaker ◽  
Bonnie Bowers
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Predatory Fish ◽  
Antipredator Behaviour ◽  
Alarm Substance ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Nerodia Sipedon ◽  
Golden Shiners ◽  
Response To Water ◽  
Snake Predators

AbstractStudies of a limited number of species of fish in the superorder Ostariophysi have shown they they exhibit strong antipredator behaviour to conserved alarm substance in feces and in other byproducts from predatory fish that have consumed ostariophysans. Our experiments examined the ability of a previously untested ostariophysan to recognize chemical cues from two species of snake predators. In Experiment 1, shoals of golden shiners (Notemigonus chrysoleucas) exhibited strong shelter-seeking responses to water which contained waste byproducts from either a sympatric snake or an allopatric snake which had been fed golden shiners but not to a distilled water control. There was no difference in response to the sympatrie snake predator, northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon), compared to the allopatric snake predator, black-bellied garter snakes (Thamnophis melanogaster). In Experiment 2, individual shiners exhibited vigourous dashing when presented with water which contained waste byproducts from N. sipedon fed golden shiners but exhibited a much weaker response to water which contained waste byproducts from N. sipedon fed green swordtails (Xiphophorus helleri, a non-ostariophysan) or to a water control. These results suggest that the alarm substance produced in the epidermis of the golden shiners is conserved in snake waste byproducts. Experiment 3 showed that there was little difference in shelter-seeking behaviour by shoals of shiners when presented with water in which N. sipedon had soaked, water in which T. melanogaster had soaked, or a distilled water control. Thus it appears that secretions from the skin of these predators may not be chemically labelled.

Influence of prey diet quality on predator-induced traits in wood frog tadpoles (Lithobates sylvaticus)

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Catherine Chuirazzi ◽  
Melissa Ocampo ◽  
Mizuki K. Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Wood Frog ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Lithobates Sylvaticus ◽  
Phenotypic Changes ◽  
Intestinal Length ◽  
Frog Tadpoles

Abstract Diet quality and predation are two critical factors in determining the growth and development of organisms. Various anurans are susceptible to phenotypic changes influenced by these factors. Yet, few studies examined prey diet quality as potential influence over predator-induced traits. Using wood frog tadpoles (Lithobates sylvaticus) as a model species, we investigated the effects of three diet compositions (plant-based, animal-based, omnivorous) crossed with presence or absence of chemical cues from predatory dragonfly larvae (Aeshnidae). After 35 days, we recorded 11 morphological measurements, Gosner stage, and intestinal length of tadpoles to assess phenotypic changes under the six different experimental conditions. Our results showed the additive effects of both diet quality and predator chemical cue without detection of interactions between the two. Tadpoles receiving the omnivorous diet grew and developed faster with wider denticle rows than those receiving the plant or animal diets. The growth and development of tadpoles receiving only the animal diet were significantly hindered. These results emphasize the importance of diet quality in the growth and development of larval wood frogs. Chemical cues from predators significantly reduced tadpole body size but, in contrast to previous findings, did not affect tail size. Our experimental procedure of providing water containing predator and injured conspecific chemical cues on a weekly basis likely provided relatively weak predation risk perceived by tadpoles compared to previous studies using caged predators. The predator environment in our experiment, however, represents one ecologically relevant scenario in which predation risk is not urgent.

scholarly journals Identification of Factors Affecting Predation Risk for Juvenile Turtles Using 3D Printed Models

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 275
Author(s):  
Sasha J. Tetzlaff ◽  
Alondra Estrada ◽  
Brett A. DeGregorio ◽  
Jinelle H. Sperry
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Terrapene Carolina ◽  
Vegetation Height ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Box Turtles

Although it is widely accepted that juvenile turtles experience high levels of predation, such events are rarely observed, providing limited evidence regarding predator identities and how juvenile habitat selection and availability of sensory cues to predators affects predation risk. We placed three-dimensional printed models resembling juvenile box turtles (Terrapene carolina) across habitats commonly utilized by the species at three sites within their geographical range and monitored models with motion-triggered cameras. To explore how the presence or absence of visual and olfactory cues affected predator interactions with models, we employed a factorial design where models were either exposed or concealed and either did or did not have juvenile box turtle scent applied on them. Predators interacted with 18% of models during field trials. Nearly all interactions were by mesopredators (57%) and rodents (37%). Mesopredators were more likely to attack models than rodents; most (76%) attacks occurred by raccoons (Procyon lotor). Interactions by mesopredators were more likely to occur in wetlands than edges, and greater in edges than grasslands. Mesopredators were less likely to interact with models as surrounding vegetation height increased. Rodents were more likely to interact with models that were closer to woody structure and interacted with exposed models more than concealed ones, but model exposure had no effect on interactions by mesopredators. Scent treatment appeared to have no influence on interactions by either predator group. Our results suggest raccoons can pose high predation risk for juvenile turtles (although rodents could also be important predators) and habitat features at multiple spatial scales affect predator-specific predation risk. Factors affecting predation risk for juveniles are important to consider in management actions such as habitat alteration, translocation, or predator control.

scholarly journals The Rate of Degradation of Chemical Cues Indicating Predation Risk: An Experiment and Review

Ethology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 120 (9) ◽  
pp. 942-949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josh Van Buskirk ◽  
Andri Krügel ◽  
Julia Kunz ◽  
Fabia Miss ◽  
Alba Stamm
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Chemical Cues

Microhabitat selection in the potentially endangered wolf spider Donacosa merlini (Araneae, Lycosidae): implications for spider conservation

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
pp. 1280-1288 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Fernández-Montraveta ◽  
M. Cuadrado
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Wolf Spider ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
Trade Offs

Habitat quality affects many components of animal fitness and animals are expected to be distributed in the space accordingly. Mismatch between habitat preferences and fitness may relate to scale-dependent effects and trade-offs between costs and benefits of moving to high-quality habitats. We investigated the effects of habitat quality and habitat selection in Donacosa merlini Alderweireldt and Jocqué, 1991, a burrowing wolf spider included in the Spanish Invertebrates Red Data Book. Particularly, we compared burrow size and density and analysed the relationship between burrow presence and vegetation at two different scales. At a regional scale, we found strong differences in burrow size and density. Burrow density affected burrow aggregation, which was utmost under mean densities. At both spatial scales, burrows were found at relatively clear (or low-covered) patches, as scrubs were lower and nearest vegetation was farther from burrows than randomly expected. Our results suggest habitat selection and effects of habitat quality on the life history of D. merlini. In spite of the recent expansion of the species distribution area, our data support the need for suitable habitat management programs. Information about ecological requirements is paramount to correctly assess spider conservation status. This topic has received little attention in spite of the diversity and the relevance of spider ecological roles.

Co-occurring Notonecta (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Notonectidae) Species Differ in Their Behavioral Response to Cues of Belostoma (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Belostomatidae) Predation Risk

2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 402-408
Author(s):  
Ilia Maria C Ferzoco ◽  
Celina B Baines ◽  
Shannon J McCauley
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Habitat Specialization ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
Ephemeral Ponds ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Specialist Species ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Shared Predator

Abstract Predators affect prey through direct consumption as well as by inducing prey to defensively alter their phenotypes, including behavioral phenotypes, to maximize survival under predation risk. Closely related sympatric prey species with shared natural enemies may resolve behavioral trade-offs under predation risk differently. In a laboratory experiment, we investigated two co-occurring semiaquatic backswimmer congeners, which exhibit differences in their degree of habitat specialization across a gradient of habitat permanence. Notonecta irrorata Uhler primarily occur in ephemeral ponds, whereas Notonecta undulata Say are habitat generalists that are commonly found in both permanent and ephemeral ponds. We tested whether the two species differed in antipredator responses to both visual and chemical cues of a shared predator, the giant water bug, in a fully factorial design. The generalist species, N. undulata, exhibited reductions in activity in the presence of predator chemical cues only, whereas the specialist species, N. irrorata, remained consistently active across predator cue treatments. Our work shows that there are species-specific differences in how prey assess or respond to predation risk. The varying propensities of these backswimmer congeners to behaviorally respond to a shared predator, and differences in their behavior when exposed to different predation risk cues may be linked to underlying divergence in their life-history strategies.

Trade-offs in the choice of refuges by common wall lizards: do thermal costs affect preferences for predator-free refuges?

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 897-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Amo ◽  
Pilar López ◽  
José Martín
Keyword(s):  
Avoidance Response ◽  
Predation Risk ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Movement Rate ◽  
Podarcis Muralis ◽  
Refuge Use ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Common Wall

Prey often respond to predator presence by increasing refuge use. However, some types of refuges may expose prey to other types of predators. In addition, in selecting refuges ectothermic animals may have a conflict between safety and thermal suitability. In this paper we examined in the laboratory whether common wall lizards, Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768), (i) prefer to use warm refuges to cold ones, (ii) prefer safe refuges to those with chemical cues of a saurophagous snake, and (iii) whether lizards face a trade-off between using a warm but snake-scented refuge or a cold but odorless one. Results did not show differences in refuge use in relation to refuge temperature, because common wall lizards only entered to investigate it, but they were not forced to hide. So, common wall lizards did not have to be at suboptimal temperatures for longer times. Common wall lizards avoided the use of predator-scented refuges, regardless of thermal conditions, and they also increased their movement rate, trying to escape from the terrarium. Because snakes are inconspicuous inside refuges, an avoidance response to their chemicals may enhance the survival possibilities of common wall lizards. We conclude that in common wall lizards, predation-risk costs are more important than thermal costs in determining refuge use.

scholarly journals Right-handed snakes: convergent evolution of asymmetry for functional specialization

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaki Hoso ◽  
Takahiro Asami ◽  
Michio Hori
Keyword(s):  
Directional Asymmetry ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Functional Specialization ◽  
Soft Body ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
Feeding Experiments ◽  
Key Innovation ◽  
The Right ◽  
Snake Predators ◽  
Symmetry Break

External asymmetry found in diverse animals bears critical functions to fulfil ecological requirements. Some snail-eating arthropods exhibit directional asymmetry in their feeding apparatus for foraging efficiency because dextral (clockwise) species are overwhelmingly predominant in snails. Here, we show convergence of directional asymmetry in the dentition of snail-eating vertebrates. We found that snakes in the subfamily Pareatinae, except for non-snail-eating specialists, have more teeth on the right mandible than the left. In feeding experiments, a snail-eating specialist Pareas iwasakii completed extracting a dextral soft body faster with fewer mandible retractions than a sinistral body. The snakes failed in holding and dropped sinistral snails more often owing to behavioural asymmetry when striking. Our results demonstrate that symmetry break in dentition is a key innovation that has opened a unique ecological niche for snake predators.

scholarly journals Inbreeding depression in adaptive plasticity under predation risk in a freshwater snail

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josh R. Auld ◽  
Rick A. Relyea
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Predation Risk ◽  
Inbreeding Depression ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Freshwater Snail ◽  
Adaptive Plasticity ◽  
Plastic Response ◽  
Physa Acuta

While much attention has been paid to the effects of inbreeding on fitness, this has mostly come from a genetic perspective. Consequently, the interaction between inbreeding and the environment is less well understood. To understand the effects of inbreeding in natural populations where environmental conditions are variable, we need to examine not only how the effects of inbreeding change among environments but also how inbreeding may affect the ability to respond to environmental conditions (i.e. phenotypic plasticity). We reared selfed and outcrossed hermaphroditic snails ( Physa acuta ) in the presence and absence of chemical cues from predatory crayfish and quantified expression of an inducible defence, an adaptively plastic response to predation risk. Overall, inbred snails exhibited reduced defences, but more importantly, inbreeding reduced the expression of predator-induced adaptive plasticity. Inbreeding depression in defensive morphology was 26 per cent and inbreeding depression in the plasticity of this trait was 48 per cent. Inbreeding depression in adaptive plasticity may be important to understanding the effects of inbreeding in nature.

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