Meeting Abstract
Predation is one of the main drivers of behavioral adaptations in preys. In species with parental care, predation can potentially affect the survival of both adults and their dependent offspring. This effect can be further modulated by other factors that contribute to mating and reproductive success of adults, such as the relative value of a breeding site. However, most studies looking at the direct effects of predation on parental investment and its carryover effects onto the next generation have focused on endothermic species, such as mammals or birds. We use male guarding behavior in a treefrog with paternal egg attendance to quantify effects of predation on adult behavior and subsequent effects on the survival of their offspring. Male behavior was determined by perceived predation threat and breeding site value, with more males abandoning low value sites when exposed to high risks. However, eggs in abandoned sites had lower hatching rates, and male return rate was positively correlated with clutch size. Results provide empirical evidence of how amphibian parental investment is affected by potential risks of predation and potential benefits of reproductive success, and how plasticity in adult behavior affects survival of their offspring.
