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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Living in a tiny world: reproductive biology and population ecology of the Neotropical miniature frog Euparkerella aff. brasiliensis (Terraranae, Strabomantidae)

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Author(s):
Fusinatto, Luciana Ardenghi [1] ; Diniz, Bruno Lamy T. [2] ; de Siqueira, Andreza Soares [1] ; Van Sluys, Monique [1] ; Sequeira, Fernando [3] ; Duarte Rocha, Carlos F. [1]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estado Rio De Janeiro, Inst Biol Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Dept Ecol, R Sao Francisco Xavier 524, BR-20550013 Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil
[2] Univ Estado Rio de Janeiro, Fac Formacao Prof, R Francisco Portela, 1470 Patronato, BR-24435005 Sao Goncalo, RJ - Brazil
[3] Univ Porto, CIBIO Res Ctr Biodivers & Genet Resources, InBIO, Vairao - Portugal
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Amphibia-Reptilia; v. 41, n. 2, p. 201-213, MAY 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Miniaturisation is an important evolutionary trend for amphibians and has occurred several times in independent anuran lineages. Most miniaturised frogs live in the leaf litter of tropical forests and have terrestrial reproductive modes. They are expected to have reduced fecundity in number of eggs than larger-bodied related species, but little is known about reproductive cycles and proportion of reproductive females. Lower vagility is also assumed, however, as they are difficult to observe, there is little empirical evidence about their dispersal. We studied the reproductive biology (sex ratio, sexual size dimorphism and fecundity parameters) and population ecology (growth, dispersal, and phenology) of the miniature Guanabara Frog Euparkerella aff. brasiliensis (<= 20 mm). We collected and analysed 75 specimens of E. aff. brasiliensis, of which 27 were adult females with vitellogenic oocytes in their ovaries. Fecundity was low for number of eggs (average number = 9.7), but only one adult female had no vitellogenic oocytes. Sex ratio was relatively balanced among sexes, being female-biased (0.92) for all individuals and male-biased (1.17) for adults. Juveniles and ovigerous females were observed throughout the year during the two years of mark-recapture study, which indicates continuous breeding. We captured 121 individuals, of which 12% were recaptured in their original collection sites, suggesting low vagility. We discuss our findings considering the current knowledge about the ecology of miniaturised frogs and other Terraranae and suggest future directions for ecological studies and conservation planning. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 15/11557-1 - Evolutionary implications of reduced body size in the tiny frog Euparkerella (Craugastoride, Holoadeninae)
Grantee:Luciana Ardenghi Fusinatto
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
FAPESP's process: 15/11556-5 - Evolutionary implications of reduced body size in the tiny frog Euparkerella (Craugastoride, Holoadeninae).
Grantee:Luciana Ardenghi Fusinatto
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
FAPESP's process: 13/21174-7 - Small-bodied vertebrates as tools for fine-scale diversification studies: the case of Euparkerella in Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Grantee:Luciana Ardenghi Fusinatto
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral