Natural history of Leptodactylus mystacinus and Leptodactylus fuscus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in the Cerrado of Central Brazil

Authors

  • Crizanto Brito De-Carvalho Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Departamento de Biologia
  • Evellyn Borges de Freitas Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Departamento de Biologia
  • Renato Gomes Faria Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Departamento de Biologia
  • Renato de Carvalho Batista Faculdade da Terra de Brasília
  • Cássio de Carvalho Batista Faculdade da Terra de Brasília
  • Welington Araújo Coelho Universidade Católica de Brasília
  • Adriana Bocchiglieri Universidade de Brasília, Departamento de Ecologia

Keywords:

ecology, diet, Leptodactylus

Abstract

Aspects of the ecology of Leptodactylus mystacinus and Leptodactylus fuscus were investigated in an area of the Cerrado of Central Brazil. The study included use of microhabitat, activity patterns, diet and, morphometry. Observations were conducted between April, 2006, and February, 2007. The species are sexually dimorphic - females larger than males - and body size in L. mystacinus is larger than that of L. fuscus. Both species preferred the ground surface (microhabitat) of wetland habitats with herbaceous vegetation close to lentic water bodies. Leptodactylus mystacinus was observed most often in October and November (8:00-8:59PM and 11:00-11:59 PM), and L. fuscus in November and October between 7:00 PM and 8:59 PM. The diet of both populations was based on Arthropoda, primarily Coleoptera, which was the most important order (IVI). Differences in the volumetric proportions of the categories of then preys used, and in the periods when they were most observed, are probably the factors that contribute the most to the coexistence of both species in the area. Intersexual differences in the diet were observed in both species. These differences were probably associated with the differential allocation of resources to the production of gametes or occasional differences in the use of space by the two sexes.

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Published

2008-09-01

How to Cite

De-Carvalho, C. B., Freitas, E. B. de, Faria, R. G., Batista, R. de C., Batista, C. de C., Coelho, W. A., & Bocchiglieri, A. (2008). Natural history of Leptodactylus mystacinus and Leptodactylus fuscus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in the Cerrado of Central Brazil. Biota Neotropica, 8(3). Retrieved from //www.biotaneotropica.org.br/BN/article/view/421

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