Olfactory cues elicit species-specific locomotive responses in poison frog tadpoles.

Abstract

Amphibian species rear their larvae in distinct environments that may influence how they respond to different sensory stimuli. Here, we investigated the olfactory-mediated locomotive responses of two poison frog species ( Allobates femoralis and Ranitomeya imitator ) that vary in life history strategies. We found that A. femoralis tadpoles spent more time near an injury cue compared to control, while R. imitator tadpoles increased their movement in response to high concentrations of amino acids. These experiments were done in an undergraduate laboratory course, demonstrating how simple behavior assays conducted in a classroom setting can provide practical research experiences and new insights into animal behavior.