Abstract
The embryonic stage is often times overlooked as a simple developmental stage in the lifecycle of animals. However, recent work has shown that embryos have the ability to perceive risk in their local environments and respond by altering life-history traits. Shifts in life-history traits may be influenced by mechanical or chemical cues associated with predation. In this paper we review a number of studies that examine shifts in the hatching characteristics of embryonic amphibians in response to chemical cues. The embryonic responses tend to vary between different species and include: earlier hatching, altered morphological characteristics and delayed hatching. In most cases the timing of hatching is shaped by the type of predator present. Thus, selection shapes embryos to respond to cues that represent danger which are ecologically relevant. Ultimately this may lead to innate recognition of predators as well as recognizing cues from heterospecific embryos. The amphibian embryonic stage represents a complex and sophisticated set of physiological and behavioral responses which may alter the course of the remaining life cycle. Further work is needed to elucidate these effects.
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Mirza, R.S., Kiesecker, J.M. (2005). Chemically mediated life-history shifts in embryonic amphibians. In: Mason, R.T., LeMaster, M.P., Müller-Schwarze, D. (eds) Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 10. Springer, Boston, MA . https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-25160-X_43
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-25160-X_43
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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