Biomedical subjects

R K O'Hara

Publications and source records attributed to R K O'Hara.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1983

Kin recognition in Rana cascadae tadpoles: effects of rearing with nonsiblings and varying the strength of the stimulus cues.

Experiments with two clutches of Rana cascadae tadpoles were undertaken to determine if (1) rearing tadpoles exclusively with nonkin affects sibling recognition behavior and (2) if tadpoles are capable of distinguishing between groups of varying sibling/nonsibling composition. Individual tadpoles reared from embryonic stages with 12 nonsiblings behaved as tadpoles reared with siblings by exhibiting a preference for siblings over nonsiblings in choice tests. This suggests that experience with siblings is not a necessary prerequisite for the development of sibling recognition in this species. Tadpoles reared with siblings preferred to associate with a group composed of 50% siblings and 50% nonsiblings over a group of 100% nonsiblings, but exhibited no preference for a group composed of 25% siblings and 75% nonsiblings versus one composed of nonsiblings only. Thus tadpoles are capable of discriminating between mixed groups of siblings and nonsiblings, but probably require some minimum proportion of siblings to do so.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Kin recognition cues in Rana cascadae tadpoles.

The importance of chemical, visual, and auditory cues in kin recognition behavior in Rana cascadae tadpoles was tested in laboratory choice experiments. Tadpoles were given a choice of associating with siblings or nonsiblings by using visual and chemical stimuli together (standard tests), visual stimuli alone, or chemical stimuli alone. We also monitored sound production of tadpoles. We conclude that tadpoles can distinguish between siblings and nonsiblings by using waterborne chemical cues alone that are probably sensed by olfaction or taste. Visual stimuli alone are not sufficient for such discrimination and sound production as a means of communication in tadpoles is probably unimportant.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Genetic control for sibling recognition?

The ability to distinguish between kin and non-kin is critical to current theories of altruistic behaviour and kin selection. Hamilton predicted that individuals would behave differently towards one another depending on the genetic relatedness between them. When either proximity to or familiarity with kin is a good predictor of relatedness, the mechanism by which favouritism towards kin is accomplished may not require special kin recognition abilities. However, if proximity and familiarity are poor predictors of kinship, favouritism (hence increases in inclusive fitness) could only be achieved by the differential recognition of kin and non-kin. We have previously shown that Cascades frog (Rana cascadae) tadpoles reared with siblings prefer to associate with siblings over non-siblings. The present study is the first to report that totally naive individuals (R. cascadae tadpoles) prefer to associate with siblings over non-siblings. Because tadpoles were separated before hatching and reared apart from other individuals, results suggest that the ability of these tadpoles to discriminate between siblings and non-siblings has some innate component.

Animals↗