Influence of Social and Predatory Stimuli on the Air-Breathing Behavior of the African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis

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Air breaths in undisturbed laboratory and pond groups of the aquatic African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, Pipidae, are significantly clustered in time or synchronized in a manner similar to that of some air-breathing fishes. Breaths of isolated frogs occur at higher rates and were non-synchronous suggesting that a social component functions in the control of air-breathing behavior in this species. In several tests, disturbance (aerial, surface, and sub-surface) of pond or laboratory groups ofX. laevis increased the level of synchrony and temporarily decreased air-breathing rate. In X. laevis, air breathing may, if socially elicited, occur independently of the need for gas exchange or be postponed by disturbance.