Leptodactylus flavopictus: temporal calling activity and tadpole redescription

Author(s)

Augusto-Alves, Guilherme ^{[1, 2]} ; Ruggeri, Joice ^[2] ; da Silva Martins, Ana Glaucia ^[3] ; Rosa Domingos, Adao Henrique ^[3] ; Santos, Isaias ^[3] ; Toledo, Luis Felipe ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Programa Posgrad Ecol, BR-13083862 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Biol Anim, Inst Biol, Lab Hist Nat Anfibios Brasileiros LaHNAB, BR-13083862 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Inst Pesquisa Biodiversidade IPBio, BR-18330000 Iporanga, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SALAMANDRA; v. 56, n. 2, p. 123-134, MAY 15 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Anuran calling activity is linked to adequate environmental conditions, especially relative humidity, temperature, and rainfall. Consequently, the breeding season is frequently concomitant to the rainy season for most anuran species. This applies in particular to species that reproduce in temporary water bodies, such as our focal species Leplodactylus avopictus. We assessed the daily and annual calling activity of L. flavopictus through passive acoustic monitoring during a one-year period at Reserva Betary, southeastern Brazil. We redescribe its advertisement call and tadpole, adding details previously unavailable. Adults of L. flavopictus presented seasonal activity, with calls being detected mostly between August and December. The most intense calling activity (in terms of greater calling rates) was detected during spring between October and November. Calling activity was predominantly nocturnal, with an increase of call rates soon after sunset, peaking about 6 hours after sunset. The advertisement call of L flavopictus is a short, non-pulsed single, note, low pitched (280-680 Hz), and contains harmonics. The tadpole presented morphological traits similar to those of other leptodactylids from temporary ponds, such as L vastus, for example. The presence of keratinized mouthparts, the shape of labial tooth, and a simple internal oral morphology suggest that this species is at least facultatively carnivorous. During this study, we collected more than zoo hours of soundscape recordings, which included vocalizations of other animals (as birds, other frogs, and insects) that may be used for future community ecology research. We, therefore, reinforce the use of passive acoustic monitoring for studies on anuran behaviour, and the inclusion of advertisement calls and tadpole descriptions in taxonomic and systematic studies, as these features have shown to be important in elucidating questions on anuran evolution. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/01917-6 - Interaction between the chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and the Ranavirus in anuran assemblages from the Southern Atlantic forest
• Grantee: Joice Ruggeri Gomes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/25358-3 - The chytrid fungus: from its origins to its consequences
• Grantee: Luis Felipe de Toledo Ramos Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/03170-0 - Acoustic, seismic and visual signaling: investigating the multimodal communication of neotropical anurans
• Grantee: Guilherme Augusto Alves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate