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Effects of UV‐B Radiation on Anti‐predator Behavior in Three Species of Amphibians
Author(s) -
Kats Lee B.,
Kiesecker Joseph M.,
Chivers Douglas P.,
Blaustein Andrew R.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
ethology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0179-1613
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-0310.2000.00608.x
Subject(s) - amphibian , toad , biology , predator , predation , ultraviolet radiation , salientia , bufo marinus , ultraviolet , zoology , bufo , ultraviolet light , ecology , predator avoidance , chemistry , photochemistry , gene , xenopus , biochemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , radiochemistry
Ultraviolet radiation has been suggested as a possible contributing cause of amphibian declines around the world. Both laboratory and field studies have demonstrated that exposure to ultraviolet radiation can lead to increased mortality of developing amphibians. Virtually no studies have examined the sub‐lethal effects of ultraviolet on amphibian behavior. In this study, we examine the anti‐predator behavior of three species of amphibians after short‐term exposure to ultraviolet‐B radiation. Toad ( Bufo boreas ) juveniles that had been exposed to ultraviolet radiation did not respond to chemical extracts from conspecifics and heterospecifics as much as juveniles that had not been exposed. Both newt larvae ( Taricha granulosa ) that had been exposed to ultraviolet radiation and those that had not been exposed responded to chemical cues from conspecific predators by increasing the amount of time spent in shelter. Frog tadpoles ( Rana cascadae ) that had been exposed to ultraviolet radiation did not reduce their movement in response to chemical cues from predators as much as tadpoles that had not been exposed. These results indicate that ultraviolet exposure may have important sub‐lethal effects in amphibians that could adversely effect their fitness.