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Bromeliad treefrogs as phoretic hosts of ostracods

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Abstract

Aquatic organisms can use many methods of dispersal among discrete freshwater habitats, and phoresy is an important but poorly understood mechanism. Tank bromeliads are small and unconnected habitats used by many animals, and some of them use phoresy for dispersal. Ostracods living in bromeliads used treefrogs as phoretic hosts for dispersal. We investigated the distribution of phoretic ostracods among body parts of treefrogs (Scinax littoreus and Scinax perpusillus), the prevalence and intensity of ostracods (Elpidium sp.) between Scinax species, and the prevalence and mean intensity of ostracods among the frogs in wet vs. dry seasons in two inselbergs areas at Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil). There were significant differences among the body parts occupied by ostracods and between the Scinax species. Seasonal differences were found only for S. littoreus showing greater abundance during the wet season. Additionally, we record Scinax cuspidatus and Thoropa miliaris as new phoretic hosts for Elpidium sp. to use phoresy.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by research grants from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (processes 304791/2010-5 and 470265/2010-8) and from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) through “Cientistas do Nosso Estado” Program (process E-26/102.765/2012) to C.F.D. Rocha. We thank the SMAC/Rio de Janeiro (Process no. 14/000.631/2008) and INEA (Authorization no. 021/2008) for permits to undertake research at conservation areas. LTS benefited from a fellowship from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) (E-26/100.569/2013) (this study is part of the PhD thesis of LTS in PPGEE-UERJ). We also thank P. Goyanes, R. Laia, M. Almeida-Santos, V. Borges-Jr., and L. Mello for their assistance in the field.

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  1. Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados, Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Rio de Janeiro, 20550-013, Brazil

    Leandro T. Sabagh & Carlos F. D. Rocha

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  1. Leandro T. Sabagh
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  2. Carlos F. D. Rocha
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Correspondence to Leandro T. Sabagh.

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Communicated by: Sven Thatje

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Sabagh, L.T., Rocha, C.F.D. Bromeliad treefrogs as phoretic hosts of ostracods. Naturwissenschaften 101, 493–497 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-014-1178-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-014-1178-y

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