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Analysis of institutional authors

Caballero-Díaz CAuthorPolo-Cavia NCorresponding Author
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Assessment of predation risk through conspecific cues by anuran larvae

Publicated to:ANIMAL COGNITION. 26 (4): 1431-1441 - 2023-07-01 26(4), DOI: 10.1007/s10071-023-01793-y

Authors: Caballero-Díaz, C.; Arribas, R.; Polo-Cavia, N.

Affiliations

Monitoring Team Nat Proc ICTS RBD, Estn Biol Donana CSIC, Calle Americo Vespucio 26, Seville 41092, Spain - Author
Univ Autonoma Madrid, Dept Biol, Madrid 28049, Spain - Author
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid - Author
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , CSIC- Estación Biológica de Doñana EBD - Author

Abstract

Accurate assessment of predation risk is critical for prey survival during predator–prey interactions. Prey can assess predation risk by the presence of cues dropped by predators themselves, but they can also gather information about risk level through cues released by other prey, avoiding the hazard of being in close proximity to predators. In this study, we examine the ability of anuran larvae (Pelobates cultripes) to detect predation risk indirectly when they are in contact with conspecifics that have been recently exposed to chemical stimuli from natural predators (larvae of aquatic beetles). In a first experiment, we confirmed that larvae exposed to predator cues exhibited innate defensive behavior, indicating that they perceived the risk of predation and, thus, could potentially act as risk indicators for naïve conspecifics. In a second experiment, we observed that unexposed larvae paired with a startled conspecific adjusted their antipredator behavior, presumably by mirroring conspecifics’ behavior and/or using chemical cues from their partners as a risk information source. This cognitive ability of tadpoles to assess predation risk through conspecific cues might play an important role in their interaction with predators, facilitating the early detection of potential threats to elicit appropriate antipredator responses and increase the chances of survival.

Keywords
antipredator behavioravoidancebehavioral-responseschemical cuesdisturbance cuesfishfroginducible defenseslarval amphibianspelobates cultripesrecognitionrefuge userisk assessmentsocial learningtadpolesAntipredator behaviorDisturbance cuesLarval amphibiansPelobates cultripesPhenotypic plasticityRisk assessmentSocial learning

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal ANIMAL COGNITION due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2023, it was in position 31/181, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Zoology.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 2.56, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions May 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-05-10, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 1
  • Scopus: 2
  • OpenCitations: 1
Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-05-10:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 10 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (CABALLERO DIAZ, CARLOS) and Last Author (POLO CAVIA, NURIA).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been POLO CAVIA, NURIA.