Courtship, vocalization, and tadpole description of Epipedobates flavopictus (Anura: Dendrobatidae) in southern Goiás, Brazil

Abstract

Epipedobates flavopictus is a diurnal, aposematic dendrobatid with a wide distribution in seasonal wet tropical regions of Brazil. We describe the daily period of vocalization, advertisement call, courtship behavior, and tadpole of E. flavopictus from a previously unknown population in southern Goiás and compare theses features with that of other populations. Studies were carried out in November (2004) and February (2005). We counted the number of calling males and duration of calling bouts in the morning and evening periods. The advertisement call was recorded with a digital recorder. Tadpole description was based on specimens collected in pools. Males called from well-illuminated sites such as rocky fields, rain channels, and borders of riverine forests. In November, males vocalized daily during two distinct periods, between 04:30 h and 10:00 h and between 16:30 h and 20:00 h. Morning temperature varied between 20-23ºC and humidity from 79-89%; during evening varied between 24-27ºC and 54-82%. In the middle of the day, temperature reached 36ºC and humidity 40%. During the morning, call activity was almost uninterrupted, in the evening calling bouts lasted around 9 min. In February, even with the occurrence of rainfall and temperatures similar to that of November no frog vocalized. The advertisement call is composed by a single note with 7-8 pulses with frequency ascending slightly from 3.20 to 4.05 kHz. Note duration was 144 ms, and between note intervals is 292 ms. Notes are given at a rate of 139 per minute. Upon observing the female, the male began to emit courtship call. The female approached the male and touched him laterally with her snout. The male moved forward and raised his hindquarters by stretching his hind legs. While leading the female, the male continued to give courtship and advertisement calls. The male clasped the female in axillary amplexus, and the pair entered a hole in a bank. The female deposited eggs on the surface of the soil, spreading them in groups. The egg clutches had eggs in at least two developmental stages, recently deposited and with embryos. Tadpoles were found in small, shallow rocky pools along a permanent stream, in well-illuminated sites at the forest border. The tadpole had the dorsal fin arched, not extending onto body. E. flavopictus appears to be unique among dendrobatids by using open areas subject to high temperatures and low humidity. Reproductive activity of the species ends before the end of the rainy season, possibly to avoid loss of tadpoles during months with unpredictable rainfall. The studied call had more notes and shorter between-call intervals than those described from other populations. The free-living tadpoles we describe differ from those of other populations by having the dorsal fin reduced.

Acoustic communication and vocalization microhabitat in Ameerega braccata (Steindachner, 1864) (Anura, Dendrobatidae) from Midwestern Brazil

“…According to the same authors, males of congenerics usually vocalise over rocks near streams (A. flavopicta), amidst leaf litter (A. hahneli), and among dead tree branches on the leaf litter (A. picta), therefore differing from what was observed for A. braccata in its type-locality, with males usually observed calling on leaves of shrubs and herbaceous plants. Costa et al (2006), believed that A. flavopicta was the unique species among the Dendrobatidae family known to occupy open areas subjected to high temperatures and low humidity, but in the present study we found that A. braccata occupy the same kind of area with a pattern of similar conditions. Bertoluci and Rodrigues (2002) suggested that anuran species that congregate in a reproductive locale tend to segregate temporally the microhabitat occupation.…”

Anuran assemblage composition and distribution at a modified environment in Três Marias reservoir, south-eastern Brazil

“…In an ongoing study, we observed indications of breeding activity (tadpoles and froglets) during the rainy season in a ditch temporarily filled by water floods after heavy rains, about 200 m from the shore (NGS Lima and PC Eterovick, unpublished data). The use of banks along rain drainages was also reported for this species by Costa et al (2006). These frogs may be using the shores just as a moist refuge during the dry season, thus showing low niche overlap with all the other species.…”

“…These frogs may be using the shores just as a moist refuge during the dry season, thus showing low niche overlap with all the other species. Unlike other dendrobatids, this species occupies open habitats and even tolerates periods of high temperatures and low humidity (Costa et al 2006), features that may have allowed its permanence in Pirapitinga, although in low densities.…”

Natural History ofAmeerega flavopicta(Dendrobatidae) on an Island Formed by Três Marias Hydroelectric Reservoir in Southeastern Brazil

“…In December, we found the highest number of males carrying tadpoles, suggesting that a low condition factor may be explained by males' investment in tadpole transport, higher energy needs (e.g., calling), and/or less time dedicated to eating, all possible causes for loss of mass. Indeed, Biavatti et al (2004) found individuals of A. flavopicta from several localities in Goiá s (central Brazil) to have fewer prey items in their stomachs during the rainy season, when they breed (Costa et al, 2006). Breeding activities are known to reduce energy input (through decreased foraging) and allocate energy toward reproductive effort rather than growth (Shine, 1980).…”

“…Some variation is recognized among populations in adult size and color pattern (Haddad and Martins, 1994). Populations of A. flavopicta occupy open physiognomies of the Cerrado ecosystem, with males calling mainly from rock crevices (Toledo et al, 2004;Costa et al, 2006). Tadpoles develop in permanent or intermittent streams with rocky bottoms in open areas (Haddad and Martins, 1994).…”