Kin recognition in Rana catesbeiana

Abstract

To test the notion that genetic relatedness and familiarity can influence kin recognition in Rana catesbeiana tadpoles - that do not show schooling tendencies - the frequencies in which they contact one another was counted. Genetic relatedness and familiarity were manipulated by assigning Rana catesbeiana egg mass prior to hatching to either a common tank to be reared together or separate tanks to be reared separately. Each test had a total of eight tadpoles placed in the 10 cm diameter glass bowl. Four tadpoles were dyed with neutral red and the other four tadpoles were dyed with methylene blue

the different coloration indicated sibship. There were three groups tested

control group was composed of all familiar eight tadpoles of the same sibship dyed differently, mixed group was composed of tadpoles of the different sibship that were dyed differently but were familiar and pure group was composed of tadpoles of the different sibship that was indicated by their different coloration and unfamiliar tadpoles on the same glass bowl. The results indicated that there was no difference to the two variables, genetic relatedness and familiarity, to tadpoles making contact to each other. The tadpoles showed relatively elevated levels of contact to unfamiliar tadpoles to familiar tadpoles which indicated acclimation but also assessment. It is necessary for further study to take place.