Post-metamorphosis

At least one study suggests that chemical cues are important in kin recognition after metamorphosis (Blaustein et al. 1984). Newly metamorphosed Cascades froglets R. cascadae) were tested to see if they could discriminate between siblings and nonsiblings in choice tests. 

In these tests, animals could discriminate between kin and nonkin until at least 47 days after metamorphosis. Although limited visual contact could have allowed these metamorphs to discriminate between siblings and nonkin, airborne chemical cues are implicated. Unfortunately, olfactory impairment tests were not conducted so the use of chemical cues is not clear-cut. However, a recent study by Graves et al. (1993) implies that aggregation tendencies in recently metamorphosed Great Plains toads (Bufo cognatus) are based at least in part on chemical cues. 

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