Use of Natural Marks to Identify Individual Bokermannohyla hylax (Amphibia: Anura)

Abstract

Of 16 Bokermannohyla hylax (13 males and three females) assessed during a seven-month field study in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, five were recognized visually by natural marks when recaptured and the other eleven from photographic records of the flanks and dorsum. This is the first time that identification by natural marks has been used to individually identify frogs. To test this method, waistbands with colored plastic beads were tied to the frogs’ waists to verify individual recognition upon recapture. Photographic identification is a scientific tool that consists of cataloging photographs of the animal for individual recognition and later identification in studies of behavior and population dynamics. Many individuals displayed thanatosis upon handling and some vocalized. Such vocalization is distinct from those associated with territoriality, advertisement, and release calls. The identification of individual B. hylax using digital images was an efficient, low-cost, and non-invasive method that might be of benefit in the study of other amphibian species.