Predation risk and breeding site value determine male behavior and indirectly affect survivorship of their offspring

Chuang, Ming‐Feng; Lee, Wing-Ho; Sun, Jhong-Si; You, Chen-Hen; Kam, Yeong‐Choy; Poo, Sinlan

doi:10.1007/s00265-017-2349-6

Cited by 16 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…We found that the presence of attending males enhances hatching ratio (Table 1) and hatching success (Table 3). Previous studies also indicated that the presence of attending males significantly increases the benefit for offspring (Poo, Evans, Tan, & Bickford, 2016;Chuang et al, 2017). We confirmed the results of Cheng and Kam (2010) where male egg-attending behaviour is negatively correlated with daily mortality.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Large males have a better mating success (Chuang, 1988), and egg clutches are more frequently found in holes with deeper water Lin, Lehtinen, & Kam, 2008). Male frogs spend more time attending breeding sites with more eggs, and egg survivorship is correlated with attendance frequency (Cheng & Kam, 2010;Chuang et al, 2017). Male frogs spend more time attending breeding sites with more eggs, and egg survivorship is correlated with attendance frequency (Cheng & Kam, 2010;Chuang et al, 2017).…”

Section: Study Organismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This species exhibits bi-parental care with males attending eggs and females providing non-fecundated trophic eggs to tadpoles (Chen, Yu, & Kam, 2007;Cheng & Kam, 2010;Kam, Chen, Chen, & Tsai, 2000). Male frogs spend more time attending breeding sites with more eggs, and egg survivorship is correlated with attendance frequency (Cheng & Kam, 2010;Chuang et al, 2017). Finally, K. eiffingeri eggs are subject to fungal infections, desiccation, predation and flooding (Chen et al, 2007;Kam et al, 1996).…”

Section: Study Organismmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

2018

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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.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Study Organismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Organismmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

2018

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“…We chose the variables expecting to relate to the choice criterion: water depth, water surface area, opening angle and entrance area are variables related to desiccation and flooding (suggested to be important features from . Cup height, cup depth, opening angle and entrance area are variables related to predation (suggested to be important features from Chuang et al 2017). Tree diameter at breast height and cup height are variables related to the ease of finding by parental frogs (suggested to be important features from Chen et al 2000).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Choice of tree holes as oviposition sites by Kurixalus eiffingeri on Iriomote Island

Sato¹,

Iwai²

2021

Herpetozoa

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Oviposition site choice affects survival and growth of offspring, particularly in frogs in which the offspring cannot move from the oviposition site. We intended to find the features of tree holes used for oviposition by Kurixalus eiffingeri on Iriomote Island. We measured eight tree hole variables to determine which should be included in the best model to explain breeding use by K. eiffingeri. Out of 32 tree holes examined, we found five that were used for oviposition. The best model included the height above the ground and angle of opening. Higher located tree holes and a larger opening angle were associated with more frequent oviposition by K. eiffingeri. This trend may be due to the higher predation risk in lower tree holes with a steeper opening. The importance of the height of the breeding site above ground was also noted in a previous study on bamboo stumps in Taiwan, but the opening angle was only salient in this study. Our study suggested that the same species in different ecosystems may use different criteria when choosing oviposition sites.

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“…However, it is possible that these factors may relate to the survival of egg-attending males and/or tadpoles in face of predation. First, an egg-attending male will either abandon its egg clutch or retreat into the water within the bamboo stump when faces a risk of predation by snakes, such as Dinodon rufozonatum (Colubridae) (Chuang et al 2017). Therefore, deeper water within the stump provides a safer refuge for the egg-attending male.…”

Section: The Adaptation Of Oviposition Site Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Chuang

Fuh

Poo

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

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Oviposition sites selected by parents is an important factor that affects offspring survival and parental fitness. A good nest site offers offspring protection from competition, predation, and harsh environmental conditions. In amphibians, though oviposition sites are generally determined by females, the distinction between male and female choice can be blurred in species with resource defense mating systems, where males occupy the territory that eggs are deposited before advertising for females. Using a phytotelm-breeding frog (Kurixalus eiffingeri) with male territoriality and biparental care, we examined 310 oviposition sites to determine (1) male choice based on physical characteristics of the site (stump height, inner diameter, stump depth, water depth), and (2) female choice based on site characteristics and male characteristics (snout-vent length and body condition). We hypothesized that either one or both sexes would select oviposition site based on characteristics correlate with higher offspring survivorship. We found that males preferred sites with deeper pools of water, while females showed no preference for sites or males based on the characteristics observed. While we cannot prove any nest traits directly benefit offspring, we contend that increased water depth within the phytotelm may 1) protect male frog from snake predation, which would allow for continued paternal care that increases the hatching success and 2) improve the offspring survival during the larval period. Our findings provide empirical evidence of male-driven oviposition site selection in an amphibian and highlight often overlooked role that males play in increasing their reproductive output by selecting for sites that benefit their offspring.

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Predation risk and breeding site value determine male behavior and indirectly affect survivorship of their offspring

Cited by 16 publications

References 37 publications

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

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

Choice of tree holes as oviposition sites by Kurixalus eiffingeri on Iriomote Island

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

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