Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Maternal Care and Obligatory Oophagy in Leptodactylus fallax: A New Reproductive Mode in Frogs
Author(s)
Gibson R.C., Buley K.R.
Published
2004
Publisher
Copeia
Abstract
Leptodactylus fallax is an endangered frog (Leptodactylidae) found only on Montserrat and Dominica in the eastern Caribbean. Here we report the first captive breeding of this species and document a unique reproductive strategy with an unprecedented level of maternal care. Male frogs fought and dominant animals occupied a nesting burrow. Males enticed females into the burrow with a trilling bark call (100-120 calls/min). A terrestrial foam nest was produced after 9-14 h. Female frogs remained close to their foam nests and defended them aggressively throughout larval development (42-57 days). Females fed larvae (26-43 per nest) trophic (unfertilized) eggs. Many provisioning events (10-13) were recorded, supplying a total of 10,000-25,000 eggs. Male frogs also remained close to the burrow and defended the site. Trophic eggs were the exclusive food source for the developing larvae, and L. fallax is therefore probably displaying a new form of amphibian endotrophy.
Keywords
captive breeding; courtship; food provisioning; frog; maternal care; reproductive behavior; vocalization; Atlantic islands; Atlantic Ocean; Caribbean Islands; Dominica; Leeward Islands [Lesser Antilles]; Lesser Antilles; Montserrat; Amphibia; Animalia; Anura; Fallax; Leptodactylidae; Leptodactylus; Leptodactylus fallax; Reptilia; Vertebrata
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB12443