ぼっち育ちのオタマジャクシは仲間への関心が低くなる―社会性は血縁よりも経験が育てていた―

Researcher information

概要

Kazuko Hase, a researcher at the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, has researched the Azuma toad (Bufo formosus) tadpoles were used to investigate the effects of early social experience and water environment on sociability. Although many animals are known to have the ability to distinguish between relatives, it was not fully understood how early social experiences affect the way they interact with their peers. In this study, we conducted behavioral experiments combining conditions in which tadpoles were raised in groups, conditions in which they were raised alone, and different conditions in the water environment. As a result, although no behavior in favoring siblings was observed, it was found that individuals raised alone were less likely to approach other individuals, whether siblings or strangers, and remained in neutral locations for longer periods of time. On the other hand, no effects due to differences in water environment were observed. These results indicate that the sociality of toad larvae is shaped more by early social experiences than by kinship. This research not only provides clues to understanding how animal sociality develops, but is also expected to lead to applications in the behavioral development of living organisms and conservation ecology. The results of this research were published in the international academic journal "Animal Cognition" on August 6, 2026.

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