Abstract

The behavioral responses of Microhyla ornata tadpoles to chemical cues of co-existing sit-and-wait (Pantala flavescens dragonfly larvae) and active chasing (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus carnivorous tadpoles) predators were studied in the laboratory. The predator’s kairomones (water conditioned by a starved predator) and kairomones combined with diet-derived metabolites (excreta containing chemical cues from conspecific prey consumption) were used to simulate predation threat. Microhyla ornata tadpoles did not exhibit behavioural responses to kairomones from the sit-and-wait predator, P. flavescens. However, when exposed to excreta from P. flavescens that had consumed conspecific prey, tadpoles reduced swimming movements and time spent swimming while increasing burst numbers and speed. Interestingly, tadpoles exhibited a similar but stronger response, reduced swimming activity and increased burst speed, to both kairomones and dietary cues from the active-chasing predator, H. tigerinus. These results indicate that M. ornata tadpoles perceive H. tigerinus as a greater predation threat than P. flavescens, likely due to hunting strategy. This study, highlights how tadpoles can differentiate between predator types and adjust their defense behaviors accordingly.