Experience has no effect on the development of chemosensory recognition of predators by tadpoles of the American toad, Bufo Americanus.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Although chemosensory recognition of predators by larval amphibians is well known, the extent to which experience plays a role in the development of this anti-predator behavior is unclear. We addressed this issue by exposing laboratory-reared (naive) and wild-caught (experienced) tadpoles of the American toad, Bufo americanus, to water-borne chemical cues of three different potential predators (bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus, larvae of the odonate Anax junius, and adults of the red-spotted newt, Notophthalmus viridescens). Compared to control tadpoles exposed to dechlorinated water, tadpoles exposed to chemical cues of Lepomis and Anax significantly de- creased activity and significantly increased aggregation. However, the behavior of tadpoles exposed to chemical cues of Notophthalmus was identical to that of control tadpoles. Most importantly, we found no difference in anti-predator behavior between laboratory-reared and wild-caught tadpoles. We conclude that larval experience with predators is unnecessary for the development of chemo- sensory predator recognition and that anti-predator behavior in this species is largely innate.