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Palatability and Defense of Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) Larvae and Metamorphic Juveniles against Predatory Dragonfly Nymphs

Theresa E. Wrynn1 and Brian G. Gall1,*

1Hanover College, Hanover, IN 47243.*Corresponding author.

Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 26, Issue 4 (2019): 849–857

Abstract
We examined the predator–prey relationship between nymphs of the predatory dragonfly Anax junius (Common Green Darner) and larval and metamorphic Notophthalmus viridescens (Eastern Newt), some of which may contain the potent neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin. First, we conducted a palatability study to determine which life-history stages were palatable to dragonflies. We also tested the metamorphosis and survival rates of larval newts when exposed to predatory dragonflies in small microcosms. Finally, we tested the predator avoidance behavior of larval newts in response to chemical cues from a control, food stimulus, and predatory dragonflies. All life-history stages (small and large larvae, and recent metamorphs) were palatable to dragonflies. In microcosm trials, we found that newt larvae had a lower chance of surviving and transforming when dragonflies were present compared to a control. Finally, newt larvae decreased movement significantly when exposed to predatory dragonfly stimulus compared to either a control or food stimulus. These results suggest dragonflies are effective predators of newts from hatching through metamorphosis. However, the larvae do possess behavioral avoidance mechanisms that likely reduce the risk of predation by dragonflies.

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