Toad tadpole kin recognition: recognition of half siblings and the role of maternal cues

Abstract

In laboratory experiments, western toad (Bufo boreas) tadpoles preferentially associated with full siblings over paternal half siblings and with maternal half siblings over non-siblings. Tadpoles did not distinguish between full siblings and maternal half siblings or between paternal half siblings and non-siblings. These results suggest a maternal component to kin recognition. However, maternal half siblings were not preferred over paternal half siblings. Therefore, the effect of maternal cues may be complex. B. boreas tadpoles can probably use both direct and indirect familiarity to discriminate between kin classes.