科创中国

Living on the edge: Effects of body size, group density and microhabitat selection on escape behaviour of southern leopard frogs Lithobates sphenocephalus

原文链接：万方

• 作者：

  Philip W. BATEMAN,Patricia A. FLEMING

• 摘要：

  Models of optimal escape strategy predict that animals should move away when the costs of fleeing (metabolic and opportunity costs) are outweighed by the costs of remaining. These theoretical models predict that more vulnerable individuals should be more reactive, moving away when an approaching threat is further away. We tested whether escape behaviour (includ- ing 'escape calling') ofLithobates sphenocephalus approached by a human was influenced by body size or the initial microhabi- tat that the individual was found in. Irrespective of their size, frogs in the open tended to remain immobile, enhancing their cryp- sis. Frogs in cover showed different responses according to their body size, but, contrary to our initial predictions, larger frogs showed greater responsiveness (longer flight initiation distance and distances fled) than small frogs. Small frogs tended to remain closer to water and escaped into water, while larger individuals were more likely to jump to terrestrial cover and call during escape. Density of frogs near the focal animal had no effect on escape behaviour. This study indicates a range of escape responses in this species and points to the importance of divergent escape choices for organisms which live on the edge of different environments .

• 关键词：

  微生境选择 青蛙 车身尺寸 行为 逃逸 生活 密度 模型预测

• 作者单位：

  Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Bentley WA 6845, Australial%School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Murdoch WA 6150, Australia

• 来源期刊：

  动物学报(英文版)

• 年，卷(期)：

  2014006