Effects of Different Predators on the Survival and Development of Tadpoles from the Hybridogenetic Rana esculenta Complex

Abstract

I studied the effects of predation on two genotypes of tadpoles from the hybridogenetic Rana lessonae-Rana esculenta complex. Tadpoles were reared at two larval densities in artificial ponds with fish, newts, dragonfly larvae, and in a control with no predators. Survival was significantly reduced by the presence of predators, but was not differentially affected by larval density. Only 0.33% of the tadpoles survived with fish, 48.9% with newts, and 70.8% with odonates. Survival was highest (93.4%) in control ponds. Survival in ponds with fish, newts, and control ponds was not affected by genotype, however, in ponds with odonates the survival of R. esculenta was higher than that of R. lessonae