Preliminary results indicate localized adaptation in the
duration of unken reflex in fire-bellied toads (Bombina
bombina, Bombinatoridae)

a 2023

Preliminary results indicate localized adaptation in the duration of unken reflex in fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina, Bombinatoridae)

BJELICA, Vukašin, Marko BUGARČIĆ, Marko ANĐELKOVIĆ, Ana MILIĆEVIĆ, Anđela PAVLOVIĆ et. al.

Basic information

Original name

Preliminary results indicate localized adaptation in the duration of unken reflex in fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina, Bombinatoridae)

Authors

BJELICA, Vukašin, Marko BUGARČIĆ, Marko ANĐELKOVIĆ, Ana MILIĆEVIĆ, Anđela PAVLOVIĆ, Lena ŽUNIĆ and Janis CZURDA

Edition

22. European Congress of Herpetology, 2023

Other information

Type of outcome

Konferenční abstrakt

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Abstract

V originále

The unken reflex (UR) is a deimatic display found in certain species of toads, such as the Fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina). These toads are cryptically coloured dorsally; however, when threatened, they arch their backs and raise their limbs, exposing the brightly coloured undersides. This sudden appearance of bright colour is a startling effect and warns potential predators that the toad is poisonous. As an antipredator behaviour, UR should be under selection and adapt to different types of predators/predation pressure. We examined the duration of UR in three populations of European fire-bellied toads. We gently tapped and grabbed them with rubber forceps to entice the toads to perform UR. We noted the occurrence of UR, whether the toads entered UR from being tapped or grabbed and if UR was displayed, we measured how long it took for the toads to exit UR (straighten their backs and drop their extremities). In total, we processed 106 toads. Our results indicate no significant differences in the occurrence of UR between the localities. On the other hand, our results indicate significant differences in the duration of UR between the localities. Coincidentally , in the locality where UR lasted the longest, the toads entered UR significantly more often from grabbing than tapping. This locality is in a canal in an urban environment devoid of a diversity of predators save domestic cats and dogs. The other localities are open, naturally occurring wetlands home to different species of snakes, water birds and small mammals. Our results might highlight localized adaptations to different predators/predation pressure and merit further attention. Future studies of UR should include attributes such as ventral colour, pattern and contrast, as these traits are also likely to be crucial predictors of the occurrence and duration of deimatic displays.

Links

MUNI/A/1401/2021, interní kód MU

Name: Ekologické a Evoluční Mechanismy v utváření současných Ekosystémů (Acronym: EEMOP)

Investor: Masaryk University

Citovat

BJELICA, Vukašin, Marko BUGARČIĆ, Marko ANĐELKOVIĆ, Ana MILIĆEVIĆ, Anđela PAVLOVIĆ, Lena ŽUNIĆ and Janis CZURDA. Preliminary results indicate localized adaptation in the duration of unken reflex in fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina, Bombinatoridae). In 22. European Congress of Herpetology. 2023.

@proceedings{2307138,
   author = {Bjelica, Vukašin and Bugarčić, Marko and Anđelković, Marko and Milićević, Ana and Pavlović, Anđela and Žunić, Lena and Czurda, Janis},
   booktitle = {22. European Congress of Herpetology},
   title = {Preliminary results indicate localized adaptation in the duration of unken reflex in fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina, Bombinatoridae)},
   year = {2023}
}

TY  - CONF
ID  - 2307138
AU  - Bjelica, Vukašin - Bugarčić, Marko - Anđelković, Marko - Milićević, Ana - Pavlović, Anđela - Žunić, Lena - Czurda, Janis
PY  - 2023
TI  - Preliminary results indicate localized adaptation in the duration of unken reflex in fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina, Bombinatoridae)
N2  - The unken reflex (UR) is a deimatic display found in certain species of toads, such as the Fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina). These toads are cryptically coloured dorsally; however, when threatened, they arch their backs and raise their limbs, exposing the brightly coloured undersides. This sudden appearance of bright colour is a startling effect and warns potential predators that the toad is poisonous. As an antipredator behaviour, UR should be under selection and adapt to different types of predators/predation pressure. We examined the duration of UR in three populations of European fire-bellied toads. We gently tapped and grabbed them with rubber forceps to entice the toads to perform UR. We noted the occurrence of UR, whether the toads entered UR from being tapped or grabbed and if UR was displayed, we measured how long it took for the toads to exit UR (straighten their backs and drop their extremities). In total, we processed 106 toads. Our results indicate no significant differences in the occurrence of UR between the localities. On the other hand, our results indicate significant differences in the duration of UR between the localities. Coincidentally , in the locality where UR lasted the longest, the toads entered UR significantly more often from grabbing than tapping. This locality is in a canal in an urban environment devoid of a diversity of predators save domestic cats and dogs. The other localities are open, naturally occurring wetlands home to different species of snakes, water birds and small mammals. Our results might highlight localized adaptations to different predators/predation pressure and merit further attention. Future studies of UR should include attributes such as ventral colour, pattern and contrast, as these traits are also likely to be crucial predictors of the occurrence and duration of deimatic displays.
ER  -

BJELICA, Vukašin, Marko BUGARČI$\backslash$'C, Marko AN$\{\backslash$DJ$\}$ELKOVI$\backslash$'C, Ana MILI$\backslash$'CEVI$\backslash$'C, An$\{\backslash$dj$\}$ela PAVLOVI$\backslash$'C, Lena ŽUNI$\backslash$'C and Janis CZURDA. Preliminary results indicate localized adaptation in the duration of unken reflex in fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina, Bombinatoridae). In \textit{22. European Congress of Herpetology}. 2023.

Detailed Information on Publication Record