Diet of a bromeligenous species of treefrog in the Brazilian semiarid / Dieta de uma espécie bromelígena de anuro do semiárido brasileiro

Phyllodytes tuberculosus is a bromeligenous anuran species whose geographic distribution is restricted to areas of the Caatinga and to transition zones between Caatinga and Atlantic Forest in the central-south of the state of Bahia. Its existence in close relationship with bromeliads and its occurrence in dry and highly seasonal environments drove us to the supposition that species is opportunistic/generalist regard to diet. We collected the items present in the stomach of 43 P. tuberculosus individuals with stomach-flushing method. Of these, 18 stomach contents were obtained during the dry period (April­October), and 25 during the rainy period (November­March). We recorded nine classes of prey, finding the greatest relative importance for the categories Formicidae and Coleoptera in dry season and Blattodea (Termites), Formicidae and Coleoptera in the rainy season. Phyllodytes tuberculosus presented a varied, possibly opportunistic diet in semiarid environments. Additionally, we report an apparent temporal differentiation related to the typical Caatinga seasonality. This study adds to the data on the natural history of an anuran species adapted to a semiarid environment with a narrow geographic distribution.

Phyllodytes tuberculosus é uma espécie de anuro bromelígena cuja distribuição geográfica está restrita a áreas de Caatinga e zonas de transição entre Caatinga e Mata Atlântica no centro-sul do estado da Bahia. Sua relação próxima com bromélias e sua ocorrência em ambientes secos e fortemente sazonais nos levou a supor que a espécie apresenta uma dieta generalista/oportunista. Por meio de lavagem estomacal, coletamos os itens alimentares presentes no estômago de 43 indivíduos de P. tuberculosus. Destes, 18 estômagos foram obtidos durante a estação seca (Abril-Outubro) e 25 durante a estação chuvosa (Novembro­Março). Nós registramos nove classes de presas, sendo que as maiores importâncias relativas foram observadas para os itens Formicidae e Coleoptera na estação seca e Blattodea (Termites), Formicidae e Coleoptera no conteúdo recuperado na estação chuvosa. Phyllodytes tuberculosus apresentou uma dieta variada, possivelmente oportunista, condizente com a vida em ambientes semiáridos. Ademais, também observamos uma aparente diferenciação temporal relacionada a sazonalidade típica da Caatinga. Este estudo adiciona dados a respeito da história natural de uma espécie de anuro adaptada a ambientes semiáridos e com distribuição geográfica restrita.

Diet of a bromeligenous species of treefrog in the Brazilian semiarid / Dieta de uma espécie bromelígena de anuro do semiárido brasileiro

Phyllodytes tuberculosus is a bromeligenous anuran species whose geographic distribution is restricted to areas of the Caatinga and to transition zones between Caatinga and Atlantic Forest in the central-south of the state of Bahia. Its existence in close relationship with bromeliads and its occurrence in dry and highly seasonal environments drove us to the supposition that species is opportunistic/generalist regard to diet. We collected the items present in the stomach of 43 P. tuberculosus individuals with stomach-flushing method. Of these, 18 stomach contents were obtained during the dry period (AprilOctober), and 25 during the rainy period (NovemberMarch). We recorded nine classes of prey, finding the greatest relative importance for the categories Formicidae and Coleoptera in dry season and Blattodea (Termites), Formicidae and Coleoptera in the rainy season. Phyllodytes tuberculosus presented a varied, possibly opportunistic diet in semiarid environments. Additionally, we report an apparent temporal differentiation related to the typical Caatinga seasonality. This study adds to the data on the natural history of an anuran species adapted to a semiarid environment with a narrow geographic distribution.(AU)

Phyllodytes tuberculosus é uma espécie de anuro bromelígena cuja distribuição geográfica está restrita a áreas de Caatinga e zonas de transição entre Caatinga e Mata Atlântica no centro-sul do estado da Bahia. Sua relação próxima com bromélias e sua ocorrência em ambientes secos e fortemente sazonais nos levou a supor que a espécie apresenta uma dieta generalista/oportunista. Por meio de lavagem estomacal, coletamos os itens alimentares presentes no estômago de 43 indivíduos de P. tuberculosus. Destes, 18 estômagos foram obtidos durante a estação seca (Abril-Outubro) e 25 durante a estação chuvosa (NovembroMarço). Nós registramos nove classes de presas, sendo que as maiores importâncias relativas foram observadas para os itens Formicidae e Coleoptera na estação seca e Blattodea (Termites), Formicidae e Coleoptera no conteúdo recuperado na estação chuvosa. Phyllodytes tuberculosus apresentou uma dieta variada, possivelmente oportunista, condizente com a vida em ambientes semiáridos. Ademais, também observamos uma aparente diferenciação temporal relacionada a sazonalidade típica da Caatinga. Este estudo adiciona dados a respeito da história natural de uma espécie de anuro adaptada a ambientes semiáridos e com distribuição geográfica restrita.(AU)

Diet of a bromeligenous species of treefrog in the Brazilian semiarid

Abstract Phyllodytes tuberculosus is a bromeligenous anuran species whose geographic distribution is restricted to areas of the Caatinga and to transition zones between Caatinga and Atlantic Forest in the central-south of the state of Bahia. Its existence in close relationship with bromeliads and its occurrence in dry and highly seasonal environments drove us to the supposition that species is opportunistic/generalist regard to diet. We collected the items present in the stomach of 43 P. tuberculosus individuals with stomach-flushing method. Of these, 18 stomach contents were obtained during the dry period (AprilOctober), and 25 during the rainy period (NovemberMarch). We recorded nine classes of prey, finding the greatest relative importance for the categories Formicidae and Coleoptera in dry season and Blattodea (Termites), Formicidae and Coleoptera in the rainy season. Phyllodytes tuberculosus presented a varied, possibly opportunistic diet in semiarid environments. Additionally, we report an apparent temporal differentiation related to the typical Caatinga seasonality. This study adds to the data on the natural history of an anuran species adapted to a semiarid environment with a narrow geographic distribution.

Resumo Phyllodytes tuberculosus é uma espécie de anuro bromelígena cuja distribuição geográfica está restrita a áreas de Caatinga e zonas de transição entre Caatinga e Mata Atlântica no centro-sul do estado da Bahia. Sua relação próxima com bromélias e sua ocorrência em ambientes secos e fortemente sazonais nos levou a supor que a espécie apresenta uma dieta generalista/oportunista. Por meio de lavagem estomacal, coletamos os itens alimentares presentes no estômago de 43 indivíduos de P. tuberculosus. Destes, 18 estômagos foram obtidos durante a estação seca (Abril-Outubro) e 25 durante a estação chuvosa (NovembroMarço). Nós registramos nove classes de presas, sendo que as maiores importâncias relativas foram observadas para os itens Formicidae e Coleoptera na estação seca e Blattodea (Termites), Formicidae e Coleoptera no conteúdo recuperado na estação chuvosa. Phyllodytes tuberculosus apresentou uma dieta variada, possivelmente oportunista, condizente com a vida em ambientes semiáridos. Ademais, também observamos uma aparente diferenciação temporal relacionada a sazonalidade típica da Caatinga. Este estudo adiciona dados a respeito da história natural de uma espécie de anuro adaptada a ambientes semiáridos e com distribuição geográfica restrita.

Diet of a bromeligenous species of treefrog in the Brazilian semiarid

Abstract Phyllodytes tuberculosus is a bromeligenous anuran species whose geographic distribution is restricted to areas of the Caatinga and to transition zones between Caatinga and Atlantic Forest in the central-south of the state of Bahia. Its existence in close relationship with bromeliads and its occurrence in dry and highly seasonal environments drove us to the supposition that species is opportunistic/generalist regard to diet. We collected the items present in the stomach of 43 P. tuberculosus individuals with stomach-flushing method. Of these, 18 stomach contents were obtained during the dry period (AprilOctober), and 25 during the rainy period (NovemberMarch). We recorded nine classes of prey, finding the greatest relative importance for the categories Formicidae and Coleoptera in dry season and Blattodea (Termites), Formicidae and Coleoptera in the rainy season. Phyllodytes tuberculosus presented a varied, possibly opportunistic diet in semiarid environments. Additionally, we report an apparent temporal differentiation related to the typical Caatinga seasonality. This study adds to the data on the natural history of an anuran species adapted to a semiarid environment with a narrow geographic distribution.

Resumo Phyllodytes tuberculosus é uma espécie de anuro bromelígena cuja distribuição geográfica está restrita a áreas de Caatinga e zonas de transição entre Caatinga e Mata Atlântica no centro-sul do estado da Bahia. Sua relação próxima com bromélias e sua ocorrência em ambientes secos e fortemente sazonais nos levou a supor que a espécie apresenta uma dieta generalista/oportunista. Por meio de lavagem estomacal, coletamos os itens alimentares presentes no estômago de 43 indivíduos de P. tuberculosus. Destes, 18 estômagos foram obtidos durante a estação seca (Abril-Outubro) e 25 durante a estação chuvosa (NovembroMarço). Nós registramos nove classes de presas, sendo que as maiores importâncias relativas foram observadas para os itens Formicidae e Coleoptera na estação seca e Blattodea (Termites), Formicidae e Coleoptera no conteúdo recuperado na estação chuvosa. Phyllodytes tuberculosus apresentou uma dieta variada, possivelmente oportunista, condizente com a vida em ambientes semiáridos. Ademais, também observamos uma aparente diferenciação temporal relacionada a sazonalidade típica da Caatinga. Este estudo adiciona dados a respeito da história natural de uma espécie de anuro adaptada a ambientes semiáridos e com distribuição geográfica restrita.

Frog assemblage associated with bromeliads in a sandy coastal plain in the state of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil

Amphibians may use bromeliads for reproduction (i.e., bromeligenous species) or only for refuge and foraging (i.e., bromelicolous species). The partition of bromeliad resources is essential to maintain the coexistence of the associated assemblages. We sampled 913 bromeliads in a sandy coastal plain (i.e., restinga habitat) in southeastern Brazil and found 234 frogs belonging to seven species. One of the frog species was bromeligenous and the other six were facultative bromelicolous. The bromeliads of the genus Aechmea were the most frequently used by frogs. The low degree of frog occupancy of bromeliads (26%) suggests habitat segregation. Our study highlights the importance of maintenance of bromeliad species for conservation of the associated frog assemblages.

Os anfíbios podem utilizar as bromélias para reprodução (i.e., espécies bromelígenas) ou apenas para refúgio e forrageamento (i.e., espécies bromelícolas). A partição dos recursos de bromélias é essencial para manter a coexistência da assembleia associada. Amostramos 913 bromélias em uma planície costeira arenosa (i.e., restinga) no sudeste do Brasil e encontramos 234 anfíbios pertencentes a sete espécies. Uma espécie de anfíbio é bromelígena e as outras seis espécies são bromelícolas. As bromélias do gênero Aechmea foram as mais frequentemente utilizadas pelos anfíbios. A baixa taxa de ocupação de bromélias (26%) sugere segregação de habitats. Nosso estudo destaca a importância da manutenção de espécies de bromélias para a conservação das assembleias de anfíbios associadas.

Frog assemblage associated with bromeliads in a sandy coastal plain in the state of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil

Amphibians may use bromeliads for reproduction (i.e., bromeligenous species) or only for refuge and foraging (i.e., bromelicolous species). The partition of bromeliad resources is essential to maintain the coexistence of the associated assemblages. We sampled 913 bromeliads in a sandy coastal plain (i.e., restinga habitat) in southeastern Brazil and found 234 frogs belonging to seven species. One of the frog species was bromeligenous and the other six were facultative bromelicolous. The bromeliads of the genus Aechmea were the most frequently used by frogs. The low degree of frog occupancy of bromeliads (26%) suggests habitat segregation. Our study highlights the importance of maintenance of bromeliad species for conservation of the associated frog assemblages.(AU)

Os anfíbios podem utilizar as bromélias para reprodução (i.e., espécies bromelígenas) ou apenas para refúgio e forrageamento (i.e., espécies bromelícolas). A partição dos recursos de bromélias é essencial para manter a coexistência da assembleia associada. Amostramos 913 bromélias em uma planície costeira arenosa (i.e., restinga) no sudeste do Brasil e encontramos 234 anfíbios pertencentes a sete espécies. Uma espécie de anfíbio é bromelígena e as outras seis espécies são bromelícolas. As bromélias do gênero Aechmea foram as mais frequentemente utilizadas pelos anfíbios. A baixa taxa de ocupação de bromélias (26%) sugere segregação de habitats. Nosso estudo destaca a importância da manutenção de espécies de bromélias para a conservação das assembleias de anfíbios associadas.(AU)

The island rule in the Brazilian frog Phyllodytes luteolus (Anura: Hylidae): incipient gigantism?

The island rule suggests that, when mainland animals are isolated on islands, large animals tend to become smaller, while small animals tend to become larger. A small frog in eastern Brazil, Phyllodytes luteolus (Wied-Neuwied, 1824), is widely distributed in association with bromeliads. At the end of the last glaciation, parts of the mainland became islands due to rising sea levels, thereby isolating frog populations on these islands. If the island rule holds, we predicted that frogs on islands would tend to be larger than frogs on the mainland. We compared sizes (weight and length) of 30 randomly selected male frogs from the mainland with 30 from an island in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. We also sampled population density on the island and mainland because concurrent with changing sizes, depending on the causal relationship, density may also change. As predicted, island frogs tended to be larger (both in snout-vent length and weight) and were much more abundant. While not specifically addressed in this study, the absence of predators and interspecific competitors may explain both of these trends.

The island rule in the Brazilian frog Phyllodytes luteolus (Anura: Hylidae): incipient gigantism?

The island rule suggests that, when mainland animals are isolated on islands, large animals tend to become smaller, while small animals tend to become larger. A small frog in eastern Brazil, Phyllodytes luteolus (Wied-Neuwied, 1824), is widely distributed in association with bromeliads. At the end of the last glaciation, parts of the mainland became islands due to rising sea levels, thereby isolating frog populations on these islands. If the island rule holds, we predicted that frogs on islands would tend to be larger than frogs on the mainland. We compared sizes (weight and length) of 30 randomly selected male frogs from the mainland with 30 from an island in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. We also sampled population density on the island and mainland because concurrent with changing sizes, depending on the causal relationship, density may also change. As predicted, island frogs tended to be larger (both in snout-vent length and weight) and were much more abundant. While not specifically addressed in this study, the absence of predators and interspecific competitors may explain both of these trends.(AU)

Vocal repertory of Scinax littoreus (Anura: Hylidae) with comments on the advertisement call of the Scinax perpusillus species group

The Scinax perpusillus species group consists of thirteen bromeligenous treefrogs, of which only six have had their acoustic parameters appropriately described. In this work, we present the vocal repertory of Scinax littoreus (Peixoto, 1988) based on recordings obtained from three different populations in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Based on our observations we suggest that the vocal repertory of S. littoreus is composed of two distinct types of calls. The call named type A, which corresponds to a long series of multipulsed notes, is likely to have a mating function. This type of call is similar to that reported for Scinax arduous Peixoto, 2002, Scinax peixotoi Brasileiro, Haddad, Sawaya & Martins, 2007, and Scinax perpusillus (Lutz & Lutz, 1939). However, the type A call of S. littoreus is nonetheless readily distinguishable from the comparable call observed in other congeneric species. The call named type B, which exhibits a multipulsed structure, presumably has an aggressive function. We observed that different types of calls could be emitted alone or combined according to the social context. Additionally, we discuss problems involving comparisons of call parameters among species belonging to the S. perpusillus species group, provide an updated geographic distribution map, discuss the conservation status of the included species, and emphasize the importance of acoustic data for the recognition of species groups within Scinax.

Vocal repertory of Scinax littoreus (Anura: Hylidae) with comments on the advertisement call of the Scinax perpusillus species group

The Scinax perpusillus species group consists of thirteen bromeligenous treefrogs, of which only six have had their acoustic parameters appropriately described. In this work, we present the vocal repertory of Scinax littoreus (Peixoto, 1988) based on recordings obtained from three different populations in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Based on our observations we suggest that the vocal repertory of S. littoreus is composed of two distinct types of calls. The call named type A, which corresponds to a long series of multipulsed notes, is likely to have a mating function. This type of call is similar to that reported for Scinax arduous Peixoto, 2002, Scinax peixotoi Brasileiro, Haddad, Sawaya & Martins, 2007, and Scinax perpusillus (Lutz & Lutz, 1939). However, the type A call of S. littoreus is nonetheless readily distinguishable from the comparable call observed in other congeneric species. The call named type B, which exhibits a multipulsed structure, presumably has an aggressive function. We observed that different types of calls could be emitted alone or combined according to the social context. Additionally, we discuss problems involving comparisons of call parameters among species belonging to the S. perpusillus species group, provide an updated geographic distribution map, discuss the conservation status of the included species, and emphasize the importance of acoustic data for the recognition of species groups within Scinax.

Vocal repertory of Scinax littoreus (Anura: Hylidae) with comments on the advertisement call of the Scinax perpusillus species group

The Scinax perpusillus species group consists of thirteen bromeligenous treefrogs, of which only six have had their acoustic parameters appropriately described. In this work, we present the vocal repertory of Scinax littoreus (Peixoto, 1988) based on recordings obtained from three different populations in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Based on our observations we suggest that the vocal repertory of S. littoreus is composed of two distinct types of calls. The call named type A, which corresponds to a long series of multipulsed notes, is likely to have a mating function. This type of call is similar to that reported for Scinax arduous Peixoto, 2002, Scinax peixotoi Brasileiro, Haddad, Sawaya & Martins, 2007, and Scinax perpusillus (Lutz & Lutz, 1939). However, the type A call of S. littoreus is nonetheless readily distinguishable from the comparable call observed in other congeneric species. The call named type B, which exhibits a multipulsed structure, presumably has an aggressive function. We observed that different types of calls could be emitted alone or combined according to the social context. Additionally, we discuss problems involving comparisons of call parameters among species belonging to the S. perpusillus species group, provide an updated geographic distribution map, discuss the conservation status of the included species, and emphasize the importance of acoustic data for the recognition of species groups within Scinax.

An unusual reproductive mode in Hypsiboas (Anura: Hylidae)

We report an unusual reproductive behavior of Hypsiboas pardalis (Spix, 1824). Species belonging to this genus usually are known to reproduce in lentic water bodies, with the development of exotrophic tadpoles. Herein, the bromeligenous behavior is reported for the first time in Hypsiboas Wagler, 1830. Although this reproductive behavior has been observed more than once here, we believe that it is not typical of Hypsiboas, being better characterized as an unusual reproductive mode for Hypsiboas, indicating the presence of plasticity in the reproductive modes of H. pardalis

An unusual reproductive mode in Hypsiboas (Anura: Hylidae)

We report an unusual reproductive behavior of Hypsiboas pardalis (Spix, 1824). Species belonging to this genus usually are known to reproduce in lentic water bodies, with the development of exotrophic tadpoles. Herein, the bromeligenous behavior is reported for the first time in Hypsiboas Wagler, 1830. Although this reproductive behavior has been observed more than once here, we believe that it is not typical of Hypsiboas, being better characterized as an unusual reproductive mode for Hypsiboas, indicating the presence of plasticity in the reproductive modes of H. pardalis

An unusual reproductive mode in Hypsiboas (Anura: Hylidae)

We report an unusual reproductive behavior of Hypsiboas pardalis (Spix, 1824). Species belonging to this genus usually are known to reproduce in lentic water bodies, with the development of exotrophic tadpoles. Herein, the bromeligenous behavior is reported for the first time in Hypsiboas Wagler, 1830. Although this reproductive behavior has been observed more than once here, we believe that it is not typical of Hypsiboas, being better characterized as an unusual reproductive mode for Hypsiboas, indicating the presence of plasticity in the reproductive modes of H. pardalis