Association preference and mechanism of kin recognition in tadpoles of the toad Bufo melanostictus

Journal of biosciences

Bhagyashri A Shanbhag1¹  Srinivas K Saidapur¹  Lilly Margaret Eluvathingal¹ 

[1] Department of Zoology, Karnatak University, Dharwad 580 003, India$$

关键词: Attraction to kin;    chemical cues;    Bufo melanostictus;    group living;    species and kin discrimination;    sensory basis of kin recognition;    toad;    visual cues;   

DOI  :  

来源: Indian Academy of Sciences

【 摘 要 】

In experiments with specially designed choice tanks, tadpoles of Bufo melanostictus spend significantly greater amounts of time near kin than near non-kin. However, in the absence of kin members, they prefer to spend more time near non-kin rather than stay away in isolation in the opposite blank zone with no company. This implies that association of toad tadpoles with their kin is due to attraction rather than repulsion from non-kin. Experiments designed to elucidate the sensory basis of kin recognition showed that toad tadpoles recognize their kin based on chemical cues rather than visual cues. They can also discriminate between homospecific non-kin and heterospecific (Sphaerotheca breviceps) tadpoles since the tadpoles spent significantly greater amounts of time near the former than near the latter. These findings suggest that where kin members are unavailable, selection may have favoured living with non-kin so as to derive benefits from group living and that a phenotype-matching mechanism may operate for both kin and species discrimination in B. melanostictus.

【 授权许可】

Unknown