Selection of substrate type, substrate color, and vegetation by tadpoles of Dryophytes plicatus

The characteristics of microhabitats in streams can drive the distribution tadpoles. We experimentally examined microhabitat selection tadpoles Dryophytes plicatus . used a series choice experiments to test if had preferences for particular substrate types, colors, and vegetation. Tadpoles D. strong preference mud substrates over sand, gravel, rock preferred darker lighter substrates. non-vegetated side an aquarium more than vegetated side. Our experimental results matched previous field observations case but differed from color vegetation, suggesting that basic underlying may be modified by various factors nature or learning conditioning.