Tadpole bullies: examining mechanisms of competition in a community of larval anurans

Faragher, Sarah Grimké; Jaeger, Robert G.

doi:10.1139/cjz-76-1-144

Cited by 23 publications

(26 citation statements)

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“…In the case of anuran larval guilds of phylogenetically close taxa, interspecific relative-size relationships are conditioned primarily by the time span between the breeding of the different species. Early breeders attain large sizes by the time other species lay their clutches and that difference may be translated into competitive superiority throughout the entire larval period (Alford andWilbur 1985, Faragher andJaeger 1998). In southern Spain B. bufo usually breeds earlier than B. calamita, when the autumn-winter rainfall is abundant enough, but it is also common that their breeding seasons greatly overlap when rainfall is more scarce or starts later.…”

Section: Species Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The combination of high population densities and relatively low niche differentiation makes it likely that interspecific competition takes place in tadpole assemblages (Alford 1999). Interspecific competition may be the main agent GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN COMPETITIVE INTERACTIONS determining community structure in ponds of intermediate permanence, while in extremely ephemeral and permanent ponds the relative effect of abiotic factors (essentially pond duration) and predation, respectively, may prevail over competition (Faragher and Jaeger 1998). Both intra-and interspecific competition in amphibians are typically density dependent (Wilbur and Collins 1973, Travis 1980, Warner et al 1993, Tejedo and Reques 1994, Newman 1998.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geographic Variation in Asymmetric Competition: A Case Study with Two Larval Anuran Species

Gómez-Mestre¹,

Tejedo²

2002

Ecology

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Abstract. The outcome of interspecific competition may be modulated by a large number of factors, both biotic and abiotic. In this paper, we examined experimentally the effects of geographic variation, population density, and abiotic stress on the outcome of interspecific competition between two species of larval anurans. Three different populations of natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) were set to compete with common toad (Bufo bufo) in replicated artificial ponds under different combinations of osmotic stress (freshwater or brackish water) and intraspecific density (high and low). Among the B. calamita populations used, only one of them is sympatric to B. bufo and inhabits a freshwater environment. The two other populations, allopatric to B. bufo, occupy freshwater and brackish water environments, respectively. Survival, length of the larval period, and size at metamorphosis were analyzed at both the specific and the populational interaction levels. Intra-and interspecific competition did occur and generally resulted in a decrease in survival rates, an increase in the duration of the larval period, and a decrease in size at metamorphosis. Water salinity also prolonged the larval period and interacted with intra-and interspecific density, intensifying its effects. Interspecific competition was asymmetric, since B. bufo was competitively superior to B. calamita, causing larger effects on B. calamita than those experienced by B. bufo. However, the three populations of B. calamita showed different competitive effects and responses when they were set to compete with B. bufo. The population sympatric to B. bufo had the stronger competitive effect and response, causing a strong impact on survival, growth, and developmental rate of B. bufo. The allopatric population inhabiting the brackish environment also had a marked effect on B. bufo survival, although only at high density. The other allopatric population only had a significant effect on the size at metamorphosis of B. bufo. The impact of B. bufo on B. calamita was greater for the allopatric populations than for the sympatric one. This pattern suggests that the nature and outcome of ecological interactions are a function of environmental conditions and population history.

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Section: Species Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographic Variation in Asymmetric Competition: A Case Study with Two Larval Anuran Species

Gómez-Mestre¹,

Tejedo²

2002

Ecology

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“…Anuran tadpoles use sophisticated chemical communication systems [19] and exhibit plastic developmental responses to chemical cues [20,21]. If toad tadpoles exploit those sensitivities to interfere with their competitors, larval chemical cues might offer novel approaches for targeted control of toads [8,22]. We conducted experiments to look for such effects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Embryonic exposure to conspecific chemicals suppresses cane toad growth and survival

Crossland

Shine

2011

Biol. Lett.

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Adaptations to suppress the viability of conspecifics may provide novel ways to control invasive taxa. The spread of cane toads (Rhinella marina) through tropical Australia has had severe ecological impacts, stimulating a search for biocontrol. Our experiments show that cane toad tadpoles produce waterborne chemical cues that suppress the viability of conspecifics encountering those cues during embryonic development. Brief (72 h) exposure to these cues in the egg and posthatching phases massively reduced rates of survival and growth of larvae. Body sizes at metamorphosis (about three weeks later) were almost twice as great in control larvae as in tadpole-exposed larvae. The waterborne cue responsible for these effects might provide a weapon to reduce toad recruitment within the species' invaded range.

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“…In this way, R. utricularia tadpoles may increase their chance of survival and metamorphosis in natural conditions. By contrast, H. cinerea tadpoles, which avoid interactions both with conspecifics and with R. utricularia tadpoles, may increase their own chances of survival and metamorphosis (Faragher and Jaeger, 1998).…”

Section: Antipredator Chemosignals In Larval Phasementioning

confidence: 99%

Antipredator pheromones in amphibians: a review

Rajchard¹

2006

Vet. Med. - Czech

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Specific chemosignals (pheromones) have an important role in the antipredator behaviour in amphibians and other vertebrates. However, relatively little is known about the occurrence of chemical alarm cues just in amphibians. The site of chemosignals perception is vomeronasal system. The presence of the vomeronasal system in aquatic amphibians indicates that it did not arise as an adaptation to terrestrial life. Predators may inhibit mate search of some species, and male newts probably take greater risks during the breeding season. Field tests demonstrated different responses to male newt extract -probably trade-off that incorporates risk and resource sensitivity. Response to chemical alarm signals has been documented for tadpoles of frog and for several species of salamander. The response of tadpoles to predator includes morphological modifications and influence of coloration, growth and development retardation. Tadpoles of Rana aurora release a chemical that provides conspecifics with an early warning of predator presence. Bufo boreas tadpoles living in the presence of conspecific alarm cues and chemosignals of specific predators reduce the time of metamorphosis in order to reduce the time in the presence of its predators. Presence of conspecific alarm substances in water and predators' waste products have an important role in the chemical detection of predators by tadpoles of Rana temporaria and Bufo bufo. Tadpoles of Rana utricularia significantly decreased the growth and increased the mortality of Hyla cinerea tadpoles on the basis of behavioral and chemical interference. Rana utricularia tadpoles apparently use both chemical interference and aggressive behavior in securing a competitive advantage over H. cinerea tadpoles. The response of tadpoles of Rana aurora to tadpoles of Taricha granulosa appear be similar to their response to tadpole extract in eliciting alarm, while insect-fed newts would have less of an effect since predators consuming other species may be less of a threat. In some cases (e.g. in Bufo bufo and B. calamita) chemosignals released in response to threat by predators (direct attack or detection of the predator scents) exert their effects across species.

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Tadpole bullies: examining mechanisms of competition in a community of larval anurans

Cited by 23 publications

References 0 publications

Geographic Variation in Asymmetric Competition: A Case Study with Two Larval Anuran Species

Geographic Variation in Asymmetric Competition: A Case Study with Two Larval Anuran Species

Embryonic exposure to conspecific chemicals suppresses cane toad growth and survival

Antipredator pheromones in amphibians: a review

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