Identification of a disturbance signal in larval red-legged frogs, Rana aurora

摘要: Animals that are warned about the presence of a predator more likely to avoid and/or survive an encounter with predator. Chemical signals released by disturbed or injured conspecifics may provide prey animals early warning. In this study we conducted experiments determine whether larval red-legged frogs respond chemical stimuli produced and examine compounds act as alarm signal. laboratory tests, groups tadpoles responded antipredator behaviours when exposed cues but not control (undisturbed) conspecifics. subsequent increased ammonium (the main metabolic waste tadpoles) excretion relative undisturbed individuals. When were low-level concentrations (1 mg NH4 + /litre), they increasing behaviours. Our results suggest frog release provides warning presence, (NH4 ) be component disturbance © 1999 The Association for Study Animal Behaviour