Size-Related Cannibalism among Larval Hynobius nebulosus

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Abstract
Cannibalistic behavior among H. nebulosus larvae living in a small pond was analyzed using a videotape recording system. Maximum and range of victim size increased with cannibal size. Mouth morphology, i.e., the mouth width of a cannibal relative to the head width of the victim, is an important constraint determining maximum victim size. Time required for a cannibal to swallow its victim varied considerably among trials; there was a significant positive correlation between handling time and size ratio in total length of the victim to the cannibal. Factors affecting the rate of cannibalism in natural populations are discussed.