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LARVAL SALAMANDER RESPONSE TO UV RADIATION AND PREDATION RISK: COLOR CHANGE AND MICROHABITAT USE
Adaptations to avoid or cope with harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) have evolved in many amphibian species. Sublethal levels of UVR can select for simple responses in larval amphibians, such as dark pigmentation or preference for UVR‐protected microhabitats (i.e., under cover or in deep water). This study focuses on color response to UVR, and whether avoidance behaviors like refuge use and depth choice depend on larval body color. We quantified responses to ambient levels of UVR in four experiments in semi‐field conditions using two sister species of salamander larvae that differ in their evolutionary history of UVR exposure. Both Ambystoma barbouri and A. texanum larvae darkened in response to UVR, and when given the choice of refuge, significantly increased the proportion of time spent in hiding. Additionally, both species used deeper microhabitats when exposed to UVR, but only A. barbouri larvae showed a preference for shallow waters when UVR was blocked out. Neither of these behaviors seemed to be color dependent, with larvae from both species taking refuge and preferring deep water in the presence of UVR, regardless of body color. Interesting behavioral trade‐offs arose when larvae were confronted with conflicting selection pressures from UVR and predation risk. Risk from predatory fish forces larvae to shallow areas, while UVR forces larvae into deeper water. Thus, the combination of the two selection pressures creates a conflict in optimal depth choice. Faced with this conflict, A. barbouri preferred deeper, risky areas to shallow water with high UVR exposure. Ambystoma texanum responded to predation risk with a preference for shallow water, but did not significantly alter depth in response to UVR. Given the opportunity to mediate exposure to UVR and predation risk by altering depth choices, neither species changed color in response to either UVR or predation risk. Overall, these changes in behavior and color may affect larval feeding, competition, and predation rates and could thus alter aquatic community structure.
LARVAL SALAMANDER RESPONSE TO UV RADIATION AND PREDATION RISK: COLOR CHANGE AND MICROHABITAT USE
Adaptations to avoid or cope with harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) have evolved in many amphibian species. Sublethal levels of UVR can select for simple responses in larval amphibians, such as dark pigmentation or preference for UVR‐protected microhabitats (i.e., under cover or in deep water). This study focuses on color response to UVR, and whether avoidance behaviors like refuge use and depth choice depend on larval body color. We quantified responses to ambient levels of UVR in four experiments in semi‐field conditions using two sister species of salamander larvae that differ in their evolutionary history of UVR exposure. Both Ambystoma barbouri and A. texanum larvae darkened in response to UVR, and when given the choice of refuge, significantly increased the proportion of time spent in hiding. Additionally, both species used deeper microhabitats when exposed to UVR, but only A. barbouri larvae showed a preference for shallow waters when UVR was blocked out. Neither of these behaviors seemed to be color dependent, with larvae from both species taking refuge and preferring deep water in the presence of UVR, regardless of body color. Interesting behavioral trade‐offs arose when larvae were confronted with conflicting selection pressures from UVR and predation risk. Risk from predatory fish forces larvae to shallow areas, while UVR forces larvae into deeper water. Thus, the combination of the two selection pressures creates a conflict in optimal depth choice. Faced with this conflict, A. barbouri preferred deeper, risky areas to shallow water with high UVR exposure. Ambystoma texanum responded to predation risk with a preference for shallow water, but did not significantly alter depth in response to UVR. Given the opportunity to mediate exposure to UVR and predation risk by altering depth choices, neither species changed color in response to either UVR or predation risk. Overall, these changes in behavior and color may affect larval feeding, competition, and predation rates and could thus alter aquatic community structure.
LARVAL SALAMANDER RESPONSE TO UV RADIATION AND PREDATION RISK: COLOR CHANGE AND MICROHABITAT USE
Garcia, Tiffany S. (author) / Stacy, Jodi (author) / Sih, Andrew (author)
Ecological Applications ; 14 ; 1055-1064
2004-08-01
10 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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