Reproductive activity, microhabitat use, and calling sites of Pristimantis bacchus (Anura: Craugastoridae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Wilfredo Chinchilla-Lemus ◽  
Víctor Hugo Serrano-Cardozo ◽  
Martha Patricia Ramírez-Pinilla
Keyword(s):  
Rainy Season ◽  
Forest Litter ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Intrapopulation Variation ◽  
Colombian Andes ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Reproductive Females ◽  
Sound Dispersion ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Pristimantis bacchus is an endangered terrestrial frog, endemic to cloud forests of the northern part of the Cordillera Oriental in the Colombian Andes. The knowledge of its reproductive biology and microhabitat use can offer important information for future conservation programs. We evaluated the reproductive activity and microhabitat use for both sexes, and selection of calling sites by males during rainy and dry seasons. Individuals of all reproductive conditions were observed throughout the sampled months; however, we observed a higher abundance of frogs during the first rainy season, after the driest months of the year. Thus, this population seems to have continuous reproductive activity, with an apparent peak at the onset of the first rainy season of the year. There were differences in the microhabitat use between sexes, between adults and juveniles, and between non-reproductive and reproductive females. Males use a wider variety of substrates at higher perches, while females were mainly found on leaf litter and over leaves at low heights; however, ovigerous females mostly occupied substrates above 120 cm. Juveniles were less abundant than adults, and occupy low substrates, mostly at forest litter. Two selection models evaluated the preference for calling sites, related to physiological requirements of humidity and for vocal sound dispersion. Males preferred to vocalize on perches at heights among 41-120 cm and with a vegetal structure that maintains high humidity, avoiding desiccation, and reducing exposure to predators. Therefore, intrapopulation variation in microhabitat use in this species is related to age, sex, reproductive condition, and physiological requirements.

scholarly journals Habitat selection by anurofauna community at rocky seashore in coastal Atlantic Forest, Southeastern Brazil

2013 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 533-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC. Pontes ◽  
RT. Santori ◽  
FC. Gonçalves e Cunha ◽  
JAL. Pontes
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Water Storage Capacity ◽  
Breeding Activity ◽  
Amphibian Community ◽  
Top View ◽  
Selection Of

Rocky seashores are low granitic hills distributed along the southeastern Brazilian coast with xeric-like vegetation due to the shallow soil. Knowledge on amphibian communities and their reproductive patterns is especially reduced on this kind of environment. Herein, we present a framework of two years monitoring an amphibian community at a rocky seashore environment located at the protected area of Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca, municipality of Niterói, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We conducted diurnal and nocturnal searches for frogs in tank bromeliads, rocky surface and shrubby vegetation. Annual pattern of breeding activity of anurans was also estimated. Individuals of the most abundant tank-bromeliad, Alcantarea glaziouana were collected and measured according to several variables to understanding the selection of bromeliads by frogs. We checked the influence of the environmental conditions on amphibian abundance, association between the bromeliads measures, and the water storage in the tank. We recorded the species: Scinax aff. x-signatus; S. cuspidatus; S. littoreus; Thoropa miliaris and Gastrotheca sp. Bromeliads were the preferential habitat used by anurans. The nocturnal habit was predominant for all species and during diurnal searches, the specimens were found sheltered in bromeliads axils. The number of calling males as well as amphibian abundance was associated with the rainiest and warmest period of the year. The species S. littoreus was observed in breeding activity in the majority of sample period. Adult calling males of T. miliaris were observed especially in the rainy season. Rainfall and temperature combined are positively correlated to the total number of captured amphibians. However, individually, rainfall was not significantly correlated, while temperature was positively correlated with the amphibian abundance. Water storage capacity by bromeliads was correlated to characteristics and size of the plant. In the rainy season, the height of the plant and the diameter on top view were correlated with the occurrence of amphibians, while during the driest period there was no correlation among variables and the bromeliad usage by amphibians. Recorded species were strongly associated to the Atlantic Forest domain. Nevertheless, the occupation of rocky seashores by anurans may be more associated with the specialized reproductive modes presented by species, since there is no permanent water available in ponds or streams.

scholarly journals Structure of pond vegetation of a vereda in the Brazilian Cerrado

Rodriguésia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 721-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzana Neves Moreira ◽  
Arnildo Pott ◽  
Vali Joana Pott ◽  
Geraldo Alves Damasceno-Junior
Keyword(s):  
Water Depth ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Life Form ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Relative Cover ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Measured Water ◽  
Mato Grosso Do Sul ◽  
New Occurrences

Abstract This is the first report on aquatic macrophytes in ponds of veredas (palm swamps) in the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna). We studied a pond in a vereda in Terenos, Mato Grosso do Sul state, central-western Brazil, during drought and flood periods to assess plant community structure and the relationship between species distribution and water depth. Sampling was carried out in five permanent transects, along which we placed sampling units of 1 m2 quadrats every 5 m. We estimated visually the relative cover of each species, bare ground, dead matter, and exposed water. We also measured water depth. We recorded 77 species of 49 genera and 31 families. The number of species varied between seasons, and in the rainy season the amphibious life form was predominant. The richest families were Poaceae (15 species), Cyperaceae (11), Asteraceae (4) and Lentibulariaceae (4). The richest genera were Rhynchospora (4), Utricularia (4), Eleocharis (4), Aeschynomene (3), Bacopa (3), Ludwigia (3) and Panicum (3). We found six new occurrences for the cerrado. Eleocharis acutangula had the highest relative cover (rainy and dry seasons), followed by Bacopa reflexa (rainy season), Paspalum lenticulare (rainy and dry seasons), Leersia hexandra (rainy and dry seasons), and Sagittaria rhombifolia (rainy season). Some species were distributed mainly at shallower depths, others occurred in deeper water, whereas some species varied greatly in terms of depth. Heliotropium filiforme and Ludwigia nervosa were found only in the dry season. In the rainy season, as expected, the exclusive species were mostly true aquatics.

Temporal partitioning of reproductive activity in a neotropical anuran community

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigitte Gottsberger ◽  
Edith Gruber
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Reproductive Mode ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Active Species ◽  
South American ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Calling Activity

The phenology of calling activity and reproduction of a neotropical anuran community in French Guiana was studied during one rainy season. We investigated the correlation between calling activity, rainfall, temperature and water level in two ponds and recorded the occurrence of tadpoles of pond-breeding species. The study site contained 31 calling frog species, which were divided into groups according to reproductive mode. Increased rainfall was associated with increased reproductive activity in all groups, but temporal patterns in calling activity varied significantly between groups. Species with aquatic oviposition exhibited sporadic acoustic activity, aggregating into explosive breeding events following heavy rainfall. Species laying eggs in foam nests had the peak of calling activity at the start of the rainy season. Taxa with embryonic development on vegetation called mainly from middle to late wet season, being the only group which showed a significant correlation of calling with increasing water level. Dendrobatids with terrestrial oviposition and subsequent parental tadpole transportation were continuously active. Species with direct development or with non-feeding larvae were mainly active at the beginning of the rainy season. It is concluded that phenologies of calling activity in South American tropical anuran species are strongly influenced by abiotic factors like rainfall and availability of breeding sites. The temporal limitation of the rainy season forces species to adjust calling and reproductive activity according to their reproductive modes.

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal distribution in two anuran communities in the Chapada do Araripe, Northeastern Brasil

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiana Ferreira-Silva ◽  
Deivid Batista de Oliveira ◽  
Herivelto Faustino de Oliveira ◽  
Robson Waldemar Ávila
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Distribution ◽  
Humid Forest ◽  
Temporal Occurrence ◽  
Chapada Do Araripe

In this study, we report the temporal occurrence and habitat and microhabitat use by anurans in two areas located in one highland marsh (brejo-de-altitude) in northeastern Brazil. Fieldwork was carried out between September 2011 and September 2012. The recorded anurans belong to 14 species distributed in five families: Hylidae (six), Leptodactylidae (five), Bufonidae, Odontophrynidae and Pipidae (one each). Vocalization activity was seasonal and concentrated in the wetter and warmer months, but correlated to rainfall only in the top in the Chapada do Araripe. Richness and abundance of calling anurans were lower in the humid forest of the slope than in Cerradão area in the top of the Chapada do Araripe. Scinax x-signatus vocalized during nine months, and along with Dendropsophus soaresi, Phyllomedusa nordestina and Physalaemus cuvieri presented the longest periods of vocalization with the highest number of species vocalizing in at the height of the rainy season. Males were recorded vocalizing in nine different microhabitats, Adenomera sp. uses leaf litter and P. cuvieri the edge of water bodies as calling site both two sampled areas. Differences in richness and abundance of anurans between the two habitats are probably due to physical characteristics, such as presence of lentic environments.

Reproductive biology of the false coral snake Oxyrhopus guibei (Colubridae) from southeastern Brazil

2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otavio Marques ◽  
Lígia Pizzatto
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Coral Snake ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Reproductive Cycles ◽  
Number Of Individuals

AbstractThe reproductive biology of the false coral snake, Oxyrhopus guibei, was studied through dissection of 496 specimens, combined with observations on captive individuals. Males mature with smaller body size than females, females attain much larger body size, and male-male combat is not expected. Clutch size ranged from 3 to 20, and was correlated with female length. Reproductive cycles in both males and females seem to be continuous, with vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis occurring throughout the year. Reproductive activity in both sexes decreased at the end of the rainy season possibly due to previous intense reproductive activity in more favorable climatic conditions. The smaller number of individuals collected at the end of the rainy season apparently occurs due to the decrease of reproductive activity of this snake.

Mosquitos bred from Dry Material taken from Holes in Trees

1926 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence H. Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Yellow Fever ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Living Tree ◽  
Tree Holes ◽  
Control Work ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Selection Of

An investigation of the breeding habits of the yellow fever mosquito, Aëdes aegypti, Linn., in West Africa was begun in December 1925. This was undertaken for the purpose of ascertaining if the selection of breeding-places of this mosquito in Africa differs from that in the Western Hemisphere, and, if so, to learn if this difference is sufficient to be of material importance in yellow fever control work.Since it was believed that breeding in tree-holes constituted a problem worthy of investigation, it was decided to make a survey of the rot-holes and fork-hollows in trees in the vicinity of Lagos, in the Southern Province of Nigeria. This survey was begun on 8th December 1925, shortly after the rainy season had passed and the dry season had set in. However, after inspecting a number of trees, the fact became evident that this was not a propitious time of the year for finding larvae in such places, since practically all of the holes were without water, and their contents, consisting of leaves and débris, were dry.This early drying of the material in the holes drew my attention to the probability of mosquito eggs remaining in the holes, surviving the drought of the dry season and producing larvae with the beginning of the rains. In furtherance of this question, an examination of the dry holes was then began, and material collected from all those that were suitable. The term “ suitable ” in this sense signifies that the hole was in a living tree—of a formation to contain water, for a short time at least—that the aperture was of sufficient size to allow the débris to be removed and the inside of the hole scraped, and that the contents were dry. The distance of the trees from habitations, their location in open areas or thick bush, the height of the holes from the ground, the exposure of the holes to the sun, or the amount of débris contained caused no discrimination to be made.

Diel feeding and prey selection of three size classes of shortfinned eel (Anguilla australis) in New Zealand

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 421 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Sagar ◽  
G. J. Glova
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Prey Selection ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Fish Prey ◽  
Size Classes ◽  
Anguilla Australis ◽  
Selection Indices ◽  
Feeding Periodicity ◽  
Selection Of

Benthic macroinvertebrates and three size classes of shortfinned eel (Anguilla australis, Anguillidae) were sampled in a lowland New Zealand stream over a 24-h period in summer to investigate diel feeding periodicity and prey selection. Fish of all three size classes fed mostly from post-dusk to dawn, with larger fish tending to consume a greater proportion of their prey during night-time. The number of prey taxa consumed increased with increasing size of fish. Prey selection indices indicated that: (1) the smallest eels (80–100 mm total length, TL) preferentially consumed ostracods (Crustacea) and larvae of Chironomidae (Diptera) and Psilochorema sp. (free-living Trichoptera); (2) medium-sized eels (101–199 mm TL) preferred larvae of Chironomidae, and Costachorema sp., Hydrobiosis sp. and Psilochorema sp.; and (3) large eels (200–300 mm TL) preferred ostracods, Psilochorema sp. and Hudsonema amabilis (cased Trichoptera). Eels of all size classes showed selection for soft-bodied or easily broken prey over those with hard cases which would have been more difficult to digest. There was considerable overlap in the diets of medium and large eels. Differences in the timing of feeding between the three size classes of eel are explained in terms of microhabitat use; differences in diet are explained in terms of prey size, and are also related to eel size.

scholarly journals Nymphal feeding habits of two Anacroneuria species (Plecoptera, Perlidae) from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yesely M. Hurtado ◽  
Cesar E. Tamaris-Turizo ◽  
Manuel J. López Rodriguez ◽  
J. Manuel Tierno de Figueroa
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Trophic Resources ◽  
Tropical Areas ◽  
Dry Seasons

The knowledge of the diet of aquatic insects is important to assess the use of resources and overlap of trophic niche between species, as well as to understand their role in the food web of the freshwater ecosystems they inhabit. This is particularly necessary in tropical areas where information on this topic is scarce. The aim of the present work is to describe the feeding habits of the species Anacroneuria marta Zúñiga and Stark, 2002 and Anacroneuria caraca Stark, 1995 in the middle section of the Gaira River (Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia). We performed three samplings during the rainy and dry seasons in the two main different microhabitats of the reach (leaf packs and gravel) in 2014. The diet of a total of 87 and 90 individuals of A. caraca and A. marta, respectively, was studied. With this information, niche breadth for each species and niche overlap between them in terms of trophic resources were calculated. The main trophic resource for both species in the dry and rainy season was the animal matter. In the dry season, FPOM was also important in the diet of A. caraca, and A. marta ingested a great quantity of CPOM in the rainy season. Larvae of Trichoptera, were the most ingested prey in both species, followed by Chironomidae, Coleoptera Hydrophilidae, and Ephemeroptera. No differences in diet between both species were detected, so this could favor the niche overlap in terms of trophic resources and could lead to competition between them. The possible ecological scenarios are discussed.

scholarly journals The invertebrate colonization during decomposition of Eichhornia azurea kunth in a lateral lake in the mouth zone of Paranapanema River into Jurumirim Reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil)

2002 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. de L. STRIPARI ◽  
R. HENRY
Keyword(s):  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Material Loss ◽  
Litter Bags ◽  
Eichhornia Azurea ◽  
Mouth Zone ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Invertebrate Colonization

The invertebrate colonization during decomposition of Eichhornia azurea was observed in a lateral lake in the mouth zone of Paranapanema River into Jurumirim Reservoir in two periods of the year. The litter bags method was used for measuring the decomposition rate as well as to evaluate the invertebrates colonization. Forty-two litter bags, measuring 15 × 20 cm in size and 2 mm mesh net, were incubated "in situ". Six litter bags (three for colonization and three for decomposition measurements) were removed after the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 28th, 56th and 72nd days of incubation. After each day, the material was carefully cleaned for detritus removal and invertebrate sampling. The biological material was fixed with 4% formaline and then sorted and identified. The remaining plant material was dried in an oven (at 60ºC) and weighed. A fast material loss occurred during the first 24 hours and the decomposition rate was higher during the rainy season than in the dry season. A peak on invertebrate density (110 ind.g.DW--1) on the remaining detritus of Eichhornia azurea was recorded in the 56th day of dry season, when the polyphenol concentration of plant detritus was 0.57 UDO.g.DW--1. In the rainy season, higher density was found in the 28th day of incubation, when the polyphenol concentration was 4.36 UDO.g.DW--1. Apparently, the reduction in the polyphenol concentration was followed by an increase in invertebrate densities. The majority of the species observed in the detritus belongs to the collector group that was dominant after the 7th and 14th days in the rainy and dry seasons, respectively.

Microhabitat use by the snow vole Chionomys nivalis in alpine environments reflects rock-dwelling preferences

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan José Luque-Larena ◽  
Pilar López ◽  
Joaquim Gosálbez
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Mountainous Regions ◽  
Mountain Environments ◽  
Chionomys Nivalis ◽  
Spatial Use ◽  
Microtine Rodent ◽  
Reproductive Females ◽  
Alpine Environments

Environmental conditions in mountainous regions have influenced the nature of some adaptations among small mammals and this may apply to strategies of habitat use in alpine biotopes. In the present paper, microhabitat use in relation to microhabitat availability of a population of snow voles Chionomys nivalis Martins, 1842, a nonhibernating microtine rodent that inhabits high-mountain environments exclusively, was studied. The results show that C. nivalis did not use microhabitats in proportion to availability, suggesting a preference for certain habitat characteristics. Chionomys nivalis strongly used scree areas at all times, whereas the use of available areas of mixed shrubs (Juniperus communis and Cytisus oromediterraneus) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) was lower than expected. Factors other than food, such as favourable microclimate or refuge from predators, might determine regular use of rocky microhabitats. The results also revealed differences in the use of rocky structures related to sex and reproductive condition, suggesting different strategies of spatial use related to reproductive tasks. Juveniles and reproductive females used central zones of the scree and areas with scree junipers (J. communis) significantly more than expected, whereas reproductive males and nonreproductive adults used scree areas in proportion to availability. Based on its unique morphological, physiological, and ecological characteristics, C. nivalis can be considered a rock-dwelling specialist of alpine environments.

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