Aggregation behavior of tadpoles of Phrynomantis microps

Abstract:

Severe climatic conditions, clumped food sources, mating advantages, and predation risk can lead to aggregation behaviors in many animal species. The author studied aggregation of tadpoles of Phrynomantis microps in the Comoe National Park, Ivory Coast. Water clarity and depth were estimated for each pond; tadpole size and age were also recorded. In addition, the standardized Morisita index was used to analyze dispersion of larvae with data from photographs. The author found that tadpoles form swarms during the day and are randomly distributed at night. Group size was significantly correlated with water clarity, water level, and age and size of tadpoles. However, water clarity explained most of the variability in aggregation size, which supports the idea that the selective force inducing aggregation behavior in P. microps larvae stems from visually hunting predators.

Año de publicación:

2003

Keywords:

Fuente:

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