AbstractWe experimentally studied anti-predator behaviors of tadpoles of Rana daunchina to red swamp crawfishes (Procambarus clarkii), a potential invasive species of the lowlands of Mount Emei, Sichuan. Our experiment was a 3×3×2 factorial design with predator presence(3 levels: no predator, vegetable-fed crawfish or tadpole-fed crawfish), tadpole age (developmental stages 25, 26-30 and 31-35) and tadpole short-term experience (with or without previous experience of being predated) as the main effects. Experienced tadpoles spent significantly less time in activity and significantly more time resting and hiding in refuges. The interaction effect of tadpole short-term experience and predators also had significant effect on activity of tadpoles. Tadpole age and predator presence had no significant effect on anti-predator behavior of tadpoles. Experienced tadpoles generally reduced activity and spent more time on resting and hiding, and showed no ability of learning to recognize crawfishes. This suggests that tadpoles of Rana daunchina may over-respond to the novel predator and thus may suffer high levels of sublethal effects once red swamp crawfish invades the lowlands of Mount Emei.