[The reaction of tadpoles of the common toad (Bufo bufo L.) to chemical signals from individuals of their own and other species].

In behavioral experiments, toad tadpoles-recipients chose between two parts of test aquarium with chemical signals of donor tadpoles of the same or different (Rana esculenta) species. The youngest studied tadpoles (43-45 stages) preferred the part of the aquarium with chemical cues from sibs as compared to non-sibs. No reliable difference in "non-sibs: water" system was observed. In "tadpoles of the same species: tadpoles of the other species" system, recipient tadpoles chose "their" part of the aquarium. Hence, toad tadpoles revealed a trend to aggregate with their sibs and avoid R. esculenta toads in the presence of certain chemical cues and in the absence of visual signals.