Attendance to egg clutches by male Kurixalus eiffingeri increases hatching success and decreases predation by invasive slugs (Parmarion martensi) in Taiwan

Abstract

Invasive species have a significant impact on amphibians, and most notably Chytrid fungi together with a few vertebrates. However, invasive terrestrial invertebrates are seldomly demonstrated to have a negative effect on their host environment, and few studies investigated the behavioural interactions between invasive and local species, limiting our knowledge of the adaptive response adopted by local organisms. These responses include whether parenting animals recognize predators as threats to their offspring and whether parental care is adequately corrected. Here, through manipulative experiments on a population of phytotelm‐breeder Kurixalus eiffingeri in central Taiwan, we demonstrated the positive effects of parental care against predation by the invasive slug Parmarion martensi, and against mould infection. Treatment groups, in the absence of caring males, displayed a higher rate of predation by slugs and mould infections. The presence of the caring males was linked to an increase in hatching success in control groups, suggesting hydration by the males, while skin peptides may be the factor limiting mould infection. We recommend further research on the impact of the invasive but widespread P. martensi on amphibian populations.

Sex‐specific oviposition site selection in an arboreal treefrog with a resource‐defense mating system

“…For terrestrial‐breeding amphibians, laying eggs outside aquatic environments comes at a distinct cost, because their amniotic eggs are faced with a higher evaporation rate in terrestrial environments. High evaporation rates can lead to dehydration and egg stage mortality (Chuang et al., 2019; Kam, Hsu, et al., 1998). Since potential oviposition sites are not a limiting factor (Lin & Kam, 2008), it is logical that males would show a preference for sites that contain more water and give their offspring a better chance at survival.…”

“…Both males and females exhibit parental care in this species. Males care for their offspring by attending the eggs (Chen et al., 2007; Chuang et al., 2019; Kam et al., 1996), while females return periodically to feed their tadpoles by laying unfertilized eggs until tadpoles reach metamorphosis (Kam et al., 1996; Ueda, 1986). As other phytotelmata, the water levels of bamboo stump can fluctuate greatly depending upon the balance between evaporation and rainfall (Caldwell & de Oliveira, 1999; Lin & Kam, 2008; Wassersug et al., 1981).…”

Sex-Specific Oviposition Site Selection and Hatching Success in an Arboreal Treefrog: Implications of a Paternal Nest-Site Selection

“…A higher stump and/or deeper stump depth also increases the di culties for predators to forage. As a result, the staying of egg-attending males would increase the egg survivorship (Chuang et al 2019). Secondly, the selection of deeper water by males may relate to the tadpole survival.…”

“…Both males and females exhibit parental care, though the timing and type of care do not overlap between the sexes. Males care for their offspring by attending the eggs (Kam et al 1996;Chen et al 2007;Chuang et al 2019), while females return periodically to feed their tadpoles by laying unfertilized eggs until tadpoles reach metamorphosis (Ueda 1986;Kam et al 1996).…”

Description of a new Kurixalus species (Rhacophoridae, Anura) and a northwards range extension of the genus

“…The genus is found throughout south-central and south-eastern Asia, from as far west as northeast India, to as far south as Indonesia, as far east as the Ryuku Islands of Japan and north to the Himalayas and Taiwan ( Frost 2020 ). The genus is often associated with bamboo forests ( Chuang et al 2019 ; Nguyen et al 2020 ) although given the immense range of the genus, it is also present in several other habitat types ( Nguyen et al 2020 ). Outside of the Himalayas, in mainland China, its northernmost distribution is Chengdu, Sichuan at 30.36°N ( Hou et al 2021 ) and is also found in northern Taiwan at 25.3°N ( Wu et al 2016 ; Frost 2020 ).…”