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Abstract <p>Predators are often transient and follow a dynamic pattern of activity. Hence, it is adaptive for prey species to adjust their activity patterns in accordance with that of predator communities. Herein, we studied the effect of stage-specific exposure to predation risk on larval growth, morphology, and metamorphic traits of <i>Indosylvirana indica</i> by exposing tadpoles to predation cues during early, mid, late larval stages or throughout larval development to determine vulnerable stages for predation risk. We also measured whole-body corticosterone to assess physiological changes associated with stage-specific exposure to predation risk. Our results clearly show that the effects of predation risk on larval <i>I. indica</i> depend on the stage of exposure. Stage-specific exposure to predation risk did not have negative impact on growth, morphology and metamorphic traits of <i>I. indica</i>. However, exposure to predation risk throughout larval development induced changes in morphology, physiology and metamorphic traits. Tadpoles facing predation risk at specific stages of development grew at a similar rate to those reared as controls. Similarly, body and tail morphology of tadpoles facing no cues and those exposed to predation cues during early, mid or late larval&#xa0;stages were similar. However, tadpoles facing predation risk throughout larval development had longer bodies with longer, wider, and deeper tails but metamorphosed early followed by those exposed during the early, mid, or late larval stages. Further, tadpoles exposed to predation cues during early stages and throughout larval development emerged as larger froglets. Physiologically, tadpoles exposed to predation risk at different stages of larval development and those reared as controls had similar levels of corticosterone. However, tadpoles facing predation cues throughout larval development had the lowest corticosterone levels. The findings of our study demonstrate that exposure to predation risk during specific stages (early, mid or late) did not influence growth or morphology, whereas exposure throughout larval development affect morphology, physiology and metamorphic traits of <i>I. indica</i>.</p> Significance statement <p>Fluctuating predation risk may pose a threat to specific stages of larval development in amphibians. Herein, we show that stage-specific exposure to predation risk does not affect growth, morphology, physiology, and life history traits of larval <i>Indosylvirana indica.</i> However, tadpoles facing predation risk throughout larval development had altered larval morphology and physiology (in terms of corticosterone levels) and, emerged earlier at a larger size. The findings of our study demonstrate that species-specific variation exists in the way prey species respond to stage-specific predation risk.</p>

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Determining sensitive stages of larval development to predation risk in Indosylvirana indica

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年1月21日

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  • N. P. Gramapurohit,
  • N. V. Wadekar,
  • A. M. Joshi,
  • S. C. Supekar

摘要

Abstract

Predators are often transient and follow a dynamic pattern of activity. Hence, it is adaptive for prey species to adjust their activity patterns in accordance with that of predator communities. Herein, we studied the effect of stage-specific exposure to predation risk on larval growth, morphology, and metamorphic traits of Indosylvirana indica by exposing tadpoles to predation cues during early, mid, late larval stages or throughout larval development to determine vulnerable stages for predation risk. We also measured whole-body corticosterone to assess physiological changes associated with stage-specific exposure to predation risk. Our results clearly show that the effects of predation risk on larval I. indica depend on the stage of exposure. Stage-specific exposure to predation risk did not have negative impact on growth, morphology and metamorphic traits of I. indica. However, exposure to predation risk throughout larval development induced changes in morphology, physiology and metamorphic traits. Tadpoles facing predation risk at specific stages of development grew at a similar rate to those reared as controls. Similarly, body and tail morphology of tadpoles facing no cues and those exposed to predation cues during early, mid or late larval stages were similar. However, tadpoles facing predation risk throughout larval development had longer bodies with longer, wider, and deeper tails but metamorphosed early followed by those exposed during the early, mid, or late larval stages. Further, tadpoles exposed to predation cues during early stages and throughout larval development emerged as larger froglets. Physiologically, tadpoles exposed to predation risk at different stages of larval development and those reared as controls had similar levels of corticosterone. However, tadpoles facing predation cues throughout larval development had the lowest corticosterone levels. The findings of our study demonstrate that exposure to predation risk during specific stages (early, mid or late) did not influence growth or morphology, whereas exposure throughout larval development affect morphology, physiology and metamorphic traits of I. indica.

Significance statement

Fluctuating predation risk may pose a threat to specific stages of larval development in amphibians. Herein, we show that stage-specific exposure to predation risk does not affect growth, morphology, physiology, and life history traits of larval Indosylvirana indica. However, tadpoles facing predation risk throughout larval development had altered larval morphology and physiology (in terms of corticosterone levels) and, emerged earlier at a larger size. The findings of our study demonstrate that species-specific variation exists in the way prey species respond to stage-specific predation risk.