Dissertation Research: Chemical Discrimination of Predator Diets in Amphibians

Suny At Binghamton, Binghamton NY

Investigators

Abstract

CHEMICAL DISCRIMINATION OF PREDATOR DIETS IN AMPHIBIANS Dr. Dale M. Madison Aaron M. Sullivan Essentially all animals must be wary of predators, but usually must perform daily tasks such as obtaining food. In many cases, animals measure the threat of a nearby predator, and take evasive action (and cease foraging) only when attack seems imminent. Some animals use chemical information not only to detect local predators, but also to assess threat by determining the diet of the predator. In this case, a diet consisting of other individuals of the same species would be most threatening and the most likely to evoke evasive action. Given the importance of predator-prey interactions in ecological communities, and the relative neglect of chemical defense mechanisms among terrestrial vertebrates, the proposed research focuses on chemical defense and assessment in an important prey-predator unit in the woodlands of northeastern USA, specifically that between a common salamander (Plethodon cinereus) and the predatory garter snake. The researchers have documented diet-based threat assessment by the salamander, and in the proposed study, will examine the degree to which salamanders use the ecological familiarity or genetic relatedness of alternative prey in the snake's diet to assess the threat imposed by the snake. Ecological familiarity will be assessed by using chemical cues from alternate salamander prey species occupying a variety of different niches in the same general P. cinereus habitat. Genetic relatedness will be examined by using cues from alternative prey of varying genetic relatedness to P. cinereus, ranging from individuals of the same subspecies to individuals of different species and higher taxonomic categories. These studies should reveal how some animals are able to decipher subtle chemical information in their environment that is important to individual survival and interpreting community-wide interactions.