Attraction to conspecifcs in Rhinella icterica and R. ornata tadpoles (Anura: Bufonidae)

Authors

  • Alexandre Polettini Neto Universidade de São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas
  • Jaime Bertoluci Universidade de São Paulo, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9959-9740

Keywords:

anuran larvae, behavior, communication, sympatric species, Atlantic Forest, schooling, southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Abstract: Tadpoles are able to perceive and discriminate signals from environment and they may use this ability in behaviors and ecological processes. Recognition mechanisms may be involved in schooling by means of attraction among individuals, characterizing a social process. By means of laboratory experiments the present study investigated the presence or absence of attraction to conspecifics in tadpoles of Rhinella icterica and R. ornata, two sympatric species from the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. We collected eggs of these two species in the field and reared them in laboratory according to two different methods (isolated or in groups of siblings). Tadpoles were submitted to experiments of choice between conspecifics, heterospecifics, and an empty compartment. Rhinella icterica tadpoles preferred to associate with conspecifics rather than R. ornata tadpoles, and we verified this is an innate behavior. Rhinella ornata tadpoles failed to discriminate between conspecifics and R. icterica tadpoles. When submitted to choice between a group of tadpoles of the other species and an empty compartment, R. icterica tadpoles presented random distribution, while R. ornata tadpoles preferred to associate with heterospecifics. Our results indicate R. icterica tadpoles have preference to associate with conspecifics, while R. ornata tadpoles may school indiscriminately. This study contributes for a better understanding of larval anuran social behavior.

Downloads

Published

2021-01-01

How to Cite

Polettini Neto, A., & Bertoluci, J. (2021). Attraction to conspecifcs in Rhinella icterica and R. ornata tadpoles (Anura: Bufonidae). Biota Neotropica, 21(1). Retrieved from //www.biotaneotropica.org.br/BN/article/view/1787

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Loading...