Title: Structure and Behavior of Hyla geographica Tadpole Schools, with Comments on Classification of Group Behavior in Tadpoles
Abstract: The schooling behavior of Hyla geographica tadpoles was studied in Rond6nia, Brazil. These tadpoles are black, form compact, nonpolarized schools, and may attain a large size (>90 mm TL). The number of tadpoles in 11 schools in which all tadpoles were collected ranged from 87-2040 (mean, 609), although schools with 2000-3000 tadpoles were not uncommon. Of 27 schools examined, 48% contained tadpoles in one or two developmental stages, although schools composed of larger tadpoles often had a large range of stages. Only three individuals in three hatchling schools transferred 16 d apart into the same recipient pond changed schools, indicating that small tadpoles from different schools did not mix; however, whether this was because of size sorting or sibling recognition is unknown. Schooling tadpoles displayed two types of behavior, termed moving and stationary in reference to whether the school itself moved or remained in one location. In both types, individual tadpoles continually swam toward the middle of the school, presumably where predation intensity was lowest. This behavior imparts a circular movement to the school that may protect the tadpoles by presenting a large, dark, moving object to potential predators. In addition to possible antipredator benefits from schooling, tadpoles of H. geographica were unpalatable to fish in a small stream; these same fish readily consumed cryptically colored H. boans tadpoles. Characteristics of three modes of schooling behavior of anuran larvae are described, based on the physical orientation of tadpoles to each other, the type of movement they exhibit, and their occurrence in the water column.
Publication Year: 1989
Publication Date: 1989-12-27
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 35
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