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Burrowing behavior of Dermatonotus muelleri (Anura, Microhylidae) with reference to the origin of the burrowing behavior of Anura

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Abstract

Dermatonotus muelleri is a forelimbs-head-first burrowing frog that uses its forelimbs for soil removal, and it is the second anuran species known to arch its head downwards at an angle of almost 90° to the longitudinal axis of its body when burrowing. The burrowing behavior of D. muelleri is divided in three stages: head burrowing, body burrowing, and chamber construction. Burrowing in D. muelleri includes construction of a subterranean chamber used for estivation during the dry season. Phylogenetic analysis based on literature survey of burrowing behavior suggested that head-first burrowing behavior has evolved several times in anuran history, forming a convergence complex, and that hindlimbs-first burrowing is a basal behavior.

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Acknowledgments

We thank F.B. Noll, E. Crespo, E.G. Freitas, C.F.B. Haddad, L.G.G. Silveira, and G.Q. Romero for critical reviews of the manuscript and helpful suggestions. We also thank Carvalho FR for assistance during field work and Vitória Brasil Administration for the logistical support. Research was funded by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—CAPES, Grant 3300415-3 (F.N.) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo—FAPESP (Proc. 01/13341-3).

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  1. Laboratório de Ecologia Animal, Departamento de Zoologia e Botânica, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, Jardim Nazareth, São José do Rio Preto, SP, CEP: 15054-000, Brazil

    Fausto Nomura

  2. Departamento de Zoologia e Botânica, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rua Cristóvão Colombo 2265, Jardim Nazareth, São José do Rio Preto, SP, CEP: 15054-000, Brazil

    Denise C. Rossa-Feres & Francisco Langeani

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  1. Fausto Nomura
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Correspondence to Fausto Nomura.

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Nomura, F., Rossa-Feres, D.C. & Langeani, F. Burrowing behavior of Dermatonotus muelleri (Anura, Microhylidae) with reference to the origin of the burrowing behavior of Anura. J Ethol 27, 195–201 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-008-0112-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-008-0112-1

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