Effects of parentage on competitive ability and vulnerability to predation in Hyla chrysoscelis tadpoles

Abstract

Four sibships of Hyla chrysoscelis larvae were used to examine the effects of parentage on mass at day 23 of growth and on vulnerability to predation. The H. chrysoscelis larvae were raised alone, in competition with Rana clamitans larvae, and in competition with siblings. Vulnerability to predation by adult Notophthalmus viridescens dorsalis was evaluated for Hyla that had been raised in competition with siblings. Sibships differed in body mass and vulnerability to predation. Competition with Rana or with siblings resulted in a major reduction in body mass. There were no interactions between the effects of parentage and level of competition on body mass. Vulnerability to predation by newts appeared to be determined partially by body mass and partially by parental influences on factors other than body mass. If the differences observed between factors determining body mass and vulnerability to predation reflect negative genetic correlations among these determinants, tradeoffs between selection for increased competitive ability and reduced vulnerability to predators may partially account for the existence of genetic variation for growth rate in larval Hyla.