Predator‐Prey Interactions and Breeding‐Pond Use of Temporary‐Pond Species in a Desert Anuran Community

Abstract

Several anuran species in central New Mexico have access to both permanent and temporary ponds yet typically use only one or the other pond type. Visual censuses of terrestrial predators and sweep samples of aquatic predators established that more individual terrestrial predators, more terrestrial predator species, and more individual aquatic predators per cubic metre exist in permanent than in temporary ponds, suggesting that predators may prevent temporary—pond species from using permanent ponds. Eight predator species consumed more temporary— than permanent—pond tadpoles in 17 of 20 pairwise choice experiments. Temporary—pond tadpoles were almost continually in motion, while permanent—pond tadpoles were almost always stationary. This differential movement may account for the vulnerability of temporary—pond tadpoles to predation. The nonrandom distribution of predators in this tadpole community and the inability of some tadpoles to avoid predation apparently restricts some anurans to temporary ponds.