Predator-avoidance of larval black-bellied salamanders (<i>Desmognathus quadramaculatus)</i> in response to cues from native and nonnative salmonids

Fish are significant predators of amphibian larvae in streams and can detect these through both visual olfactory cues. The ability to effectively recognize cues may depend on the evolutionary history predator prey such that recently introduced not be recognized as readily those have consistently coexisted with species. As such, relatively recent introduction rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) into Southern Appalachian headwater where black-bellied salamander (Desmognathus quadramaculatus) brook (Salvelinus fontinalis) naturally coexist has raised concern. objective this study was determine whether respond from trout. To evaluate this, activity metrics (general number movements) were recorded before after exposure either native cue (brook), (rainbow), or conditioned tap water (control). Larvae collected different stream reaches based their cooccurrence only, trout, no predators. co-occur reduced when exposed cue, but response depended previous co-occurrence. A follow-up test influence alarm indicated enhanced predator.