Age structure, growth pattern, sexual maturity, and longevity of Leptodactylus latrans (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in temperate wetlands (original) (raw)
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Early ontogeny and sequence heterochronies in Leiuperinae frogs (Anura: Leptodactylidae)
PLOS ONE
S1 Figure. Embryonic measurements and morphological features recorded. (A) Measurements taken in tailbud stage embryos. (B-C) Measurements taken in gills and adhesive glands. (D) Ventral view of a Stage 23 embryo, showing transient embryonic structures and the oral disc. (E) Detail of an adhesive gland at full development. (F) Detail of a developing oral disc showing the jaw sheaths, the anterior and posterior lower tooth ridges, and marginal papillae with a dorsal gap. (G) Detail of epidermal ciliated cells. (H) Detail of an individual labial teeth showing cusp pattern. (I) Detail of the cephalic region of a tailbud stage embryo, showing the area of the hatching gland.
Reproductive and Spatial Ecology of Leptodactylus insularum (Anura, Leptodactylidae) in Panama
Tropical frogs show extensive variation in timing of breeding, reproductive strategies, and spatial patterns of calling males and nest sites. I studied a poorly known species of frog that exhibits maternal care during 2 yr. I report results from behavioral observations, breeding monitoring, and mark–recapture, describing the temporal and spatial distribution of males and foam nests in relation to pond depth and rainfall. I found that Leptodactylus insularum is a prolonged, episodic breeder with an average temporal lag of 12 d between breeding events. Although more nests were laid on nights following days with more rain, not every heavy rain triggered oviposition and there does not seem to be an absolute threshold in cubic millimeters of rain for laying eggs. Frogs laid their nests in shallow areas (15–115 mm) of the marsh and distributed nests in a spatially clumped pattern. Individual males were not recaptured in the same area of the marsh, which, combined with behavioral observations, suggests that they are not territorial. I recaptured 41% of 182 adult frogs tagged within a season, but did not recapture any adults across seasons, suggesting high mortality rates and a functionally semelparous life-history strategy. I found that juveniles reach sexual maturity in the following breeding season. I discuss the breeding strategies of L. insularum in relation to environmental factors and in comparison with related species and unrelated frogs with similar breeding patterns.
Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi) and the Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans) are small frogs commonly found along water bodies in eastern North America. We determined growth and seasonal size classes from museum specimens of the Northern Cricket Frog (from Georgia and Florida) and Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (from Arkansas and Missouri). We characterized the male and female reproductive phenophases of Blanchard’s Cricket Frog using histological technique and gross examination and assessed its age and growth using skeletochronology. Our results show that male and female Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs metamorphose in the summer, and snout-vent (SVL) length quickly reaches adult size. Body mass (BM) follows SVL with female BM growing faster than males from spring through oviposition. Male and female reproductive phenophases follow growth patterns. Some males are reproductively viable by late summer. Most ovarian development occurs in the spring and summer with oviposition occurring sometime between late May and June. Growth, reproductive and skeletochronological evidence suggest that very few Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs live more than one year. The growth data for the Northern Cricket Frog was insufficient to support either semelparity or iteroparity. As a semelparous species, Blanchard’s Cricket Frog may be susceptible to transient and temporary stressors that interfere with reproduction or recruitment.
Copeia, 2002
The genus Leptodactylus provides an example among anurans in which there is an evident tendency toward terrestrial reproduction. Herein we describe a new reproductive mode for the frog Leptodactylus podicipinus, a member of the "melanonotus" group. This new reproductive mode represents one of the intermediate steps from the most aquatic to the most terrestrial modes reported in the genus. Three reproductive modes were previously recognized for the genus Leptodactylus. However, based on our data, and on several studies on Leptodactylus species that have been published since the last reviews, we propose a new classification, with the addition of two modes for the genus.
Phyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology
Data on the age at sexual maturity and longevity of some mantellid species of the genera Boophis, Gephyromantis, and Mantidactylus that inhabit the low altitude rainforest of Masoala (northeastern Madagascar) are presented. Counts of lines of arrested growth (LAGs) were used to calculate longevity in these species; these data contribute to assessment of the threat level of the studied anurans. Boophis includes species of mediumto large-sized frogs (SVL = 30–65 mm) that attain sexual maturity in 1–3 years and live 3–9 years (i.e., mid-longevity). Mantidactylus and Gephyromatis include small- to largesized species (SVL = 22–107 mm and 35–49 mm, respectively) that attain sexually maturity in 1–3 years and live 1–8 and 3–7 years, respectively
Journal of Biosciences, 2001
Skeletochronological estimation of age, longevity, age at sexual maturity and breeding of Microhyla ornata was done. Frogs (n = 62) were collected locally in August (rainy season) 1997 and brought to the laboratory. Body mass and snout-vent-length (SVL) of each frog was recorded; the 4th toe of both the hind limbs was clipped under anaesthesia, fixed in 10% formalin, demineralized in 5% nitric acid and processed for histology. Limb bones (femur, humerus, tibiofibula and radioulna) of 6 large sized frogs were also processed for skeletochronology in order to study the rate of resorption. Gonads of 25 frogs (belonging to different body size ranges) were processed for histology in order to ascertain the gametogenic status of individual frogs. One to four growth rings consisting of growth zones and lines of arrested growth (LAGs) were noticed in frogs of different body sizes; the number of LAGs remained identical in all the limb bones and phalanges in 5 out of 6 frogs. Back calculation indicated that the resorption rate is very low in this frog. Male frogs possessed sperm bundles in seminiferous tubules in the 1st year, while females showed yolky follicles in the ovary in the 2nd year. Frogs found in amplexus were 3-5 years old. The results suggest that this frog may live for a maximum of 5 years in the natural population.
03. Leptodactylus latrans tadpoles predating the eggs and tadpoles of sympatric anurans
The Herpetological Bulletin, 2017
The Criolla frog, Leptodactylus latrans, is one of the most common and widely distributed anuran species in the Neotropics. Tadpoles of this species were previously reported to be omnivorous, feeding on algae and animal remains but observations in the wild suggested that they predate small tadpoles of Physalaemus sp. These observations were confirmed by a laboratory test where L. latrans tadpoles predated the larvae and eggs of Physalaemus biligonigerus and larvae of Rhinella fernandezae. There was evidence that the tadpole of R. fernandezae was relatively unpalatable.
Reproductive biology of the Brazilian sibilator frog Leptodactylus troglodytes
The Herpetological …, 2009
This study reports on previously unknown characteristics of the reproductive biology of Leptodactylus troglodytes, including reproductive site, courtship and territorial behaviour, advertisement, territorial, courtship and reciprocation calls, fecundity and architecture of underground chambers. The ability of tadpoles to produce foam was also tested in the laboratory. Individuals of L. troglodytes bred near temporary ponds in shaded areas and eggs were laid in underground chambers. Three courtship behaviour sequences were recorded. Courtship and reciprocation calls are important during courtship to maintain association between the bonding pair. Reciprocation calls emitted by females may indicate gender avoiding attacks by males. The underground chambers examined had a complex architecture consisting of multiple internal spherical rooms. Foam nests with eggs/larvae in different stages of development were found inside the chambers. Tadpoles of Leptodactylus troglodytes were able to regenerate foam nests within three hours after the beginning of the experiment. This behaviour was also found in other species of the L. fuscus, L. pentadactylus and L. marmoratus species groups.