Relationship between tadpoles morphotype, foraging efficiency and micro-habitat use in an experimental approach

• Grant number: 18/04611-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2018
• End date: February 28, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Theoretical Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Denise de Cerqueira Rossa-Feres
• Grantee: Ynaiá Yamanaka Marques
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Usually tadpoles are classified in ecomorphological guilds based on analyses that relate their morphology and the local in the habitat where they are collected. However, morphological characters are often considered functional traits without testing their actual functions. Also, the use of microhabitats by tadpoles can be influenced by several factors, increasing complexity in classifications. In this context, we aimed to test experimentally whether the morphotype is related to the preference for microhabitats. We hypothesize that morphological variation among species is related to the micro-habitat where tadpoles explore and forage most; and that microhabitat use varies relative to the period of the day, the vegetation cover and the availability of food. By these means, we will evaluate the microhabitat use by tadpoles of two species (benthic and nektonic) in an experimental system compounded by aquaria with two depths and areas with and without vegetation. Data of the number of tadpoles in each region of the aquaria will be obtained through video records in both diurnal and nocturnal periods, and also in the absence and presence of food (offered in three depths in the vertical axis of the water column). In addition, the amount of food consumed in each depth of the water column will be quantified. We expect benthic tadpoles will use preferentially open areas close the bottom of the environment, in the deepest area during the day and in the shallow at night; and nektonic tadpoles will use preferentially the water column of the deepest area independent of the period of the day and use vegetation as refuge; and tadpoles of both species will be more dispersed in the absence of food.