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Predator driven reproductive behavior in a tropical frog

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Abstract

Life history trade-offs in reproductive strategy are often invoked as ecological agents of evolutionary change, despite a limited amount of experimental data from the field. The larval deposition strategy of Allobates femoralis was tested in Southeastern Peru using a blocked, fully crossed experimental design. Arrays of four pools were used to test the effects of pool size and the presence of a predatory insect (Belostomatid) on the deposition behavior of A. femoralis. Further experiments investigated the colonization of insect predators into potential larval habitats and interactions between predatory insects. Results suggest that pool size, the presence of predatory aquatic insects, and interactions between predators, influence larval deposition in A. femoralis. Similar ecological interactions may have driven toxic dendrobatids to the use of arboreal phytotelmata and associated derived reproductive strategies.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express thanks to those who have assisted in the preparation of this manuscript. Nat Seavy, Michael McCoy, Hope Klug, Gustav Paulay, Trip Lamb, Carol Goodwillie and Brian Silliman offered critical reviews. Jan Caldwell and four anonymous reviewers provided critical reviews. This work would not have been possible without funding provided by National Geographic Society (Research Grant 7243-02) and East Carolina University. Support in Peru was generously provided by Pantiacolla Nature Tours, Madre de Dios Explorations, and the Yine Project.

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  1. Smithsonian Marine Station, Fort Pierce, FL, 34949, USA

    C. Seabird McKeon

  2. Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858-4353, USA

    Kyle Summers

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  1. C. Seabird McKeon
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Correspondence to C. Seabird McKeon.

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McKeon, C.S., Summers, K. Predator driven reproductive behavior in a tropical frog. Evol Ecol 27, 725–737 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-013-9641-3

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