<b>Effect of the spatial heterogeneity on the predation of <em>Scinax fuscovarius</em> and <em>Physalaemus cuvieri</em> tadpoles by Odonata larvae</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v32i2.4835 <b>Effect of the spatial heterogeneity on the predation of <em>Scinax fuscovarius</em> and <em>Physalaemus cuvieri</em> tadpoles by Odonata larvae</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v32i2.4835

• Main Authors: João Ânderson Fulan, Silvio César Almeida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Estadual de Maringá 2010-05-01
• Series: Acta Scientiarum : Biological Sciences
• Subjects: Tadpole; macrophyte; odonata; predation
• Online Access: http://www.periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciBiolSci/article/view/4835
• ISSN: 1679-9283; 1807-863X

The objective of this work were to analyze the effect of predation by Odonata naiads on two amphibian species with distinct habits – benthic and mid-water – and to verify whether the presence and architecture of macrophytes can mediate this interaction. All tadpoles and Odonata larvae were captured in a temporary pond. Sixteen tanks were used for three different treatments: <em>Pistia, Salvinia</em> and no macrophytes. Ten tadpoles of each species and two Odonata larvae were placed in each tank. The survival of tadpoles according to treatments was assessed through analysis of repeated measures. We concluded that the survival of P<em>. cuvieri</em> and S<em>. fuscovarius</em> tadpoles was not affected by the presence and architecture of the macrophytes (<em>Pistia</em> and <em>Salvinia</em>) or by their behavior.<br>The objective of this work were to analyze the effect of predation by Odonata naiads on two amphibian species with distinct habits – benthic and mid-water – and to verify whether the presence and architecture of macrophytes can mediate this interaction. All tadpoles and Odonata larvae were captured in a temporary pond. Sixteen tanks were used for three different treatments: <em>Pistia, Salvinia</em> and no macrophytes. Ten tadpoles of each species and two Odonata larvae were placed in each tank. The survival of tadpoles according to treatments was assessed through analysis of repeated measures. We concluded that the survival of P<em>. cuvieri</em> and S<em>. fuscovarius</em> tadpoles was not affected by the presence and architecture of the macrophytes (<em>Pistia</em> and <em>Salvinia</em>) or by their behavior.