CHEMICAL INTERACTION OF FROG TADPOLES (RA NA-ARVALIS NILSS, ANURA, AMPHIBIA) WITH CONSPECIFIC AND HETEROSPECIFIC ANURAN TADPOLES DWELLING THE SAME BODY OF WATER

In double-choice experiments the tadpoles of Rana arvalis were offered chemical cues of con- and heterospecific tadpoles in different combin ations. It was shown that they are capable of distinguishing these sig nals. The cues of Bufo bufo and Rana lessonae larvae induced a clear r eaction of attraction, whereas those of Rana temporaria did not cause any visible behavioral response. Conspecific tadpoles were more attrac tive than clear water, irrespective of their relationship with the rec ipients, however, kin chemical signals were more preferable than those from non-relatives.