DOCSLIB.ORG

Biome Brochure

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Biome Brochure RED-EYED TREE FROG ed ey d- og Re Fr ee g" Tr fro ) key tion on dina - "m oor me at c kna gre Impact on Environment Nic its Although these beautiful creatures are not consid- e to ered threatened, the condition of their habitat is of (du great concern. Problems such as global warming, wetland drainage, atmospheric and climatic changes, pollution, deforestation have all taken a severe toll on the rainforest. With less rainforest comes fewer tree frogs. Amphibian populations are known to suffer environmental effects sooner The red-eyed tree frog is one of the than other populations. This makes them a good most fascinating and popular animals indicator species. Pictures of the Red-eyed tree frog are seen all over the world. The have become on earth and has become the symbol a "poster child" for the Save the Rainforest cam- of the movement to save the world's paign. Their bright coloration and their status as an indicator species makes them the perfect can- rainforests. didate to bring attention to this cause. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss5/ biome/ http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rainforest.htm http://www.nashvillezoo.org/redeye.htm http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/species/redeye.html http://www.belizezoo.org/zoo/zoo/herps/fro/ fro1.html http://www.honoluluzoo.org/Red- Agalychnis callidryas eyed_Tree_Frog.htm Kingdom - Animalia Phylum - Chordata The rainforest is full of many beautiful creatures Class - Lissamphibia and beautiful discoveries. There are many animals Order - Anura that have not even been discovered yet in the Family - Hylidae rainforest. Medical researchers even find ingredi- Ms. Cruz Genus -Agalychnis ents here for new medications to help people. The Species - callidryas rainforest is an important resource that we cannot afford to waste. RED-EYED TREE FROG “One of the most beautiful of the frogs, this nocturnal Effect of Red-eyed amphibian is native to tropical rainforests in the New Frog on Humans World. It is hardy in captivity if provided with a moist, The Red-eyed tree frog is ventilated environment and a variety of insects. Moths now well known by most 7th Grade Science Teacher are particularly relished by this species. When asleep during the day, the frog holds its limbs tightly against people. You see them on Calhoun Middle School its body and closes its eyes tightly flush against the shirts and on mugs. You Denton, TX even see little models of body it is easily overlooked during the day as it usually them. You could say that will position itself on the back of a leaf. It will not rouse the red-eyed tree frog has become the South from this position during daylight hours unless ex- American rainforest's symbol. Since so many tremely disturbed. “ people are seeing them in pictures, on shirts, and on other stuff, the demand for them in real life has grown. These days it is not unusual to walk into a Habitat Food Web of a Tropical Rainforest These frogs live in tropical rainforests in a neotropical environment. They prefer the lowland rainforest areas close to rivers and the adja- cent hills. Physical Characteristics The most noticeable things about this amphib- ian are the bold, bright red eyes. This frog, as an adult, is brightly colored all over. The body is mostly neon green but it is usually splashed with other colors like blue or yellow. The upper legs are usually bright blue and the feet are orange or red. The coloration of this tree frog is definitely eye catching. The Red-eyed tree frog can change its color with its mood from a darker green to a reddish-brown. These tree frogs have suction cup toe pads. In this frog, males are smaller than the females. Males Temperature and Rainfall in Tropical Rainforest usually reach a length of about 2 inches while 0 0 The average temperature range in a tropical rainforest is 25 —28 C females are usually 3 inches in length. (770-820F). The average rain fall is 200cm or more. The soil is thin and poor in nutri- Specific Adaptations ents. Some may wonder why a frog would have such distinguishing eyes. Does it not make him more noticeable to his predators? This is a good question, but the Red-eyed tree frog has evolved with these particular eyes for a very good reason -- startle coloration! Since the tree frog sleeps during the day, the redness of their eyes is covered up and they blend in better with their surroundings. But if something does start to bother them and they open up those huge, bright red eyes, it may scare their preda- tor away! Diet These frogs are carnivores and feed primarily at night, feasting on crickets, moths, flies, grasshoppers, and sometimes even smaller frogs! Basically, they will eat any insect or food item that they can fit The feet of this colorful creature are also spe- into their mouths. In captivity, babies eat mostly fruit flies and pin- RED-EYED TREE cial adaptations and important to its survival. head crickets. Tree frogs have feet like suction cups which FROG help them to attach to leaves, branches and the trunks of trees. This is important for mating, Tropical Rainforest Plants sleeping and eating. Even though Red-eyed Most of the foods we eat come from tropical rain forest plants. Ba- tree frogs spend a large portion of their time in nanas, avocadoes, pineapples, peppers, peanuts, oranges, papaya, trees, they are frogs after all and they are good lemon, pepper (the spice), coconut, sugarcane, cassava and cacao - swimmers. - all are fruits or types of foods that come from the rain forest plants. Coffee beans, cashews and Brazil nuts are all native to the tropics. Chicle, used in chewing gum, comes from a tropical tree. Chocolate, popular worldwide, is from the cacao seed, which is native to the tropical rainforest. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Auto Guia Version Ingles
    Parque Natural Metropolitano Tel: (507) 232-5516/5552 Fax: (507) 232-5615 www.parquemetropolitano.org Ave. Juan Pablo II final P.O. Box 0843-03129 Balboa, Ancón, Panamá República de Panamá 2 Taylor, L. 2006. Raintree Nutrition, Tropical Plant Database. http://www.rain- Welcome to the Metropolitan Natural Park, the lungs of Panama tree.com/plist.htm. Date accessed; February 2007 City! The park was established in 1985 and contains 232 hectares. It is one of the few protected areas located within the city border. Thomson, L., & Evans, B. 2006. Terminalia catappa (tropical almond), Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry. Permanent Agriculture Resources You are about to enter an ecosystem that is nearly extinct in Latin (PAR), Elevitch, C.R. (ed.). http://www.traditionaltreeorg . Date accessed March America: the Pacific dry forests. Whether your goals for this walk 2007-04-23 are a simple walk to keep you in shape or a careful look at the forest and its inhabitants, this guide will give you information about Young, A., Myers, P., Byrne, A. 1999, 2001, 2004. Bradypus variegatus, what can be commonly seen. We want to draw your attention Megalonychidae, Atta sexdens, Animal Diversity Web. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Bradypus_var toward little things that may at first glance seem hidden away. Our iegatus.html. Date accessed March 2007 hope is that it will raise your curiosity and that you’ll want to learn more about the mysteries that lie within the tropical forest. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The contents of this book include tree identifications, introductions Text and design: Elisabeth Naud and Rudi Markgraf, McGill University, to basic ecological concepts and special facts about animals you Montreal, Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • AC29 Inf. 25 (English Only / Únicamente En Inglés / Seulement En Anglais)
    Original language: English AC29 Inf. 25 (English only / únicamente en inglés / seulement en anglais) CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA Twenty-ninth meeting of the Animals Committee Geneva (Switzerland), 18-22 July 2017 Interpretation and im plem entation m atters General com pliance and enf orcem ent Captive-bred and ranched s pecim ens GUIDANCE FOR INSPECTION OF CAPTIVE BREEDING AND RANCHING FACILITIES The attached information document has been submitted by the Species Survival Network (SSN) * in relation to agenda item 14. * The geographical designations employed in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the CITES Secretariat (or the United Nations Environment Programme) concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The responsibility for the contents of the document rests exclusively with its author. AC29 Inf. 25 – p. 1 The following report analyzes data contained in the CITES Trade Database for trade in captive-bred, farmed, or ranched amphibians from 2012-2015. The database provided approximately 1,500 lines of data describing the trade of almost 200,000 captive-bred (C), farmed (F), confiscated (I), pre- convention (O), or ranched (R) amphibians for all purposes. This report includes data for live specimens, as well as bodies and parts and derivatives. The data was extracted by means of comparative tabulations of reported imports and exports. Latin American countries, particularly Panama and Nicaragua, were common exporters while North American and European countries, such as Canada, the United States, and the Netherlands, were common importers.
    [Show full text]
  • 3Systematics and Diversity of Extant Amphibians
    Systematics and Diversity of 3 Extant Amphibians he three extant lissamphibian lineages (hereafter amples of classic systematics papers. We present widely referred to by the more common term amphibians) used common names of groups in addition to scientifi c Tare descendants of a common ancestor that lived names, noting also that herpetologists colloquially refer during (or soon after) the Late Carboniferous. Since the to most clades by their scientifi c name (e.g., ranids, am- three lineages diverged, each has evolved unique fea- bystomatids, typhlonectids). tures that defi ne the group; however, salamanders, frogs, A total of 7,303 species of amphibians are recognized and caecelians also share many traits that are evidence and new species—primarily tropical frogs and salaman- of their common ancestry. Two of the most defi nitive of ders—continue to be described. Frogs are far more di- these traits are: verse than salamanders and caecelians combined; more than 6,400 (~88%) of extant amphibian species are frogs, 1. Nearly all amphibians have complex life histories. almost 25% of which have been described in the past Most species undergo metamorphosis from an 15 years. Salamanders comprise more than 660 species, aquatic larva to a terrestrial adult, and even spe- and there are 200 species of caecilians. Amphibian diver- cies that lay terrestrial eggs require moist nest sity is not evenly distributed within families. For example, sites to prevent desiccation. Thus, regardless of more than 65% of extant salamanders are in the family the habitat of the adult, all species of amphibians Plethodontidae, and more than 50% of all frogs are in just are fundamentally tied to water.
    [Show full text]
  • BOA5.1-2 Frog Biology, Taxonomy and Biodiversity
    The Biology of Amphibians Agnes Scott College Mark Mandica Executive Director The Amphibian Foundation [email protected] 678 379 TOAD (8623) Phyllomedusidae: Agalychnis annae 5.1-2: Frog Biology, Taxonomy & Biodiversity Part 2, Neobatrachia Hylidae: Dendropsophus ebraccatus CLassification of Order: Anura † Triadobatrachus Ascaphidae Leiopelmatidae Bombinatoridae Alytidae (Discoglossidae) Pipidae Rhynophrynidae Scaphiopopidae Pelodytidae Megophryidae Pelobatidae Heleophrynidae Nasikabatrachidae Sooglossidae Calyptocephalellidae Myobatrachidae Alsodidae Batrachylidae Bufonidae Ceratophryidae Cycloramphidae Hemiphractidae Hylodidae Leptodactylidae Odontophrynidae Rhinodermatidae Telmatobiidae Allophrynidae Centrolenidae Hylidae Dendrobatidae Brachycephalidae Ceuthomantidae Craugastoridae Eleutherodactylidae Strabomantidae Arthroleptidae Hyperoliidae Breviceptidae Hemisotidae Microhylidae Ceratobatrachidae Conrauidae Micrixalidae Nyctibatrachidae Petropedetidae Phrynobatrachidae Ptychadenidae Ranidae Ranixalidae Dicroglossidae Pyxicephalidae Rhacophoridae Mantellidae A B † 3 † † † Actinopterygian Coelacanth, Tetrapodomorpha †Amniota *Gerobatrachus (Ray-fin Fishes) Lungfish (stem-tetrapods) (Reptiles, Mammals)Lepospondyls † (’frogomander’) Eocaecilia GymnophionaKaraurus Caudata Triadobatrachus 2 Anura Sub Orders Super Families (including Apoda Urodela Prosalirus †) 1 Archaeobatrachia A Hyloidea 2 Mesobatrachia B Ranoidea 1 Anura Salientia 3 Neobatrachia Batrachia Lissamphibia *Gerobatrachus may be the sister taxon Salientia Temnospondyls
    [Show full text]
  • Agalychnis Callidryas)
    Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology (2018) 72:182 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-018-2597-0 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Local preference encoded by complex signaling: mechanisms of mate preference in the red-eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas) Kristine Kaiser1 & Chloe Boehlke2 & Edauri Navarro-Pérez3 & Andres Vega4 & Steven Dudgeon1 & Jeanne M. Robertson1 Received: 6 June 2018 /Revised: 27 October 2018 /Accepted: 2 November 2018 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018 Abstract The Central American red-eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas) is a nocturnal/crepuscular frog that exhibits high population-level phenotypic variation in a suite of traits generally important in anuran communication. Females of this species demonstrate a preference for local over non-local males, although the contribution of different communication modes to mate choice remains untested. We performed eight setsofexperimentsatLaSelvaBiological Station (Costa Rica) to test the relative roles of male advertisement call and flank-stripe pattern on female mate choice. For each trial, we used pre-recorded calls for acoustic signals and/or 3D-printed, hand-painted models for visual stimulus. Females selected conspecifics over heterospecifics when presented with either acoustic or visual stimuli only, indicating that both evolve as species-specific signals used for mate discrimination. Bayesian modeling showed that females chose local males over non-locals based on unimodal; responses to multimodal signals varied. Female mate choice in this species is likely nuanced and subject to the constraints of the local environment in which animals are signaling. Our data show that at least two traits that vary among populations are important for mate selection. Significance statement Evolution shapes animal communication in diverse ways to accommodate complicated signaling contexts, including environ- mental noise, the presence of eavesdroppers, and changing landscapes.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogenetics, Classification, and Biogeography of the Treefrogs (Amphibia: Anura: Arboranae)
    Zootaxa 4104 (1): 001–109 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/ Monograph ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2016 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4104.1.1 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D598E724-C9E4-4BBA-B25D-511300A47B1D ZOOTAXA 4104 Phylogenetics, classification, and biogeography of the treefrogs (Amphibia: Anura: Arboranae) WILLIAM E. DUELLMAN1,3, ANGELA B. MARION2 & S. BLAIR HEDGES2 1Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7593, USA 2Center for Biodiversity, Temple University, 1925 N 12th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122-1601, USA 3Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Magnolia Press Auckland, New Zealand Accepted by M. Vences: 27 Oct. 2015; published: 19 Apr. 2016 WILLIAM E. DUELLMAN, ANGELA B. MARION & S. BLAIR HEDGES Phylogenetics, Classification, and Biogeography of the Treefrogs (Amphibia: Anura: Arboranae) (Zootaxa 4104) 109 pp.; 30 cm. 19 April 2016 ISBN 978-1-77557-937-3 (paperback) ISBN 978-1-77557-938-0 (Online edition) FIRST PUBLISHED IN 2016 BY Magnolia Press P.O. Box 41-383 Auckland 1346 New Zealand e-mail: [email protected] http://www.mapress.com/j/zt © 2016 Magnolia Press All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, transmitted or disseminated, in any form, or by any means, without prior written permission from the publisher, to whom all requests to reproduce copyright material should be directed in writing. This authorization does not extend to any other kind of copying, by any means, in any form, and for any purpose other than private research use.
    [Show full text]
  • CITES Cop15 Prop.13 IUCN-TRAFFIC Analysis (PDF, 57
    Ref. CoP15 Prop. 13 Inclusion of the genus Agalychnis in Appendix II Proponent: Honduras and Mexico Summary: Agalychnis is a genus of tree frogs occurring in Mexico, Central and South America. Five species are currently recognized by the CITES standard reference for Amphibians; a sixth (Agalychnis litodryas), generally considered synonymous with A. spurrelli, is sometimes recognized as a separate species. An additional species, Cruziohyla calcarifer, was previously included in Agalychnis but was moved to the genus Cruziohyla in 2005. Agalychnis callidryas is the most widespread species. It occurs in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. Although the population is said to be decreasing, it is considered to be abundant and fairly tolerant of habitat modification and is classified as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. A recent study in Belize found this species present at densities of between 0.05 and 0.21 frogs per m2 in mating ponds at seasonal breeding aggregations. Estimated population size for Belize was thought to be under 2000; the population in Panama is possibly up to 10 000. Population estimates are unavailable for other range States. Agalychnis moreletii occurs in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. It was reportedly locally abundant in some locations in Chiapas State, Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala. However, recent surveys in Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico, indicate that it has disappeared from all the sites surveyed. In Guatemala and Honduras, the population is reported to be declining due to habitat destruction. It is uncommon, but occasionally found in breeding aggregations in Honduras.
    [Show full text]
  • Phenotypic Plasticity in Amphibians
    Phenotypic plasticity in amphibians Lecture goal To familiarize students with the basics of phenotypic plasticity, demonstrate the diversity of research that has documented phenotypic plasticity in amphibians, and encourage discussion about phenotypic plasticity Supplemental readings: Required readings: Relyea 2002. Ecology 83:1953-1964 Warkentin 1995. PNAS 92:3507-3510 Gotthard and Nylin 1995. Oikos 74:3-17 Denver et al. 1998. Ecology 79:1859-1872 Newman 1992. Bioscience 42:671 Denoël et al. 2005. Biological Review 80:663-671 Pfennig et al. 2006. Ecology 87:769-779 Relyea 2002. Ecol Monographs 72:523-540 Required readings for class discussion: Relyea 2007. Oecologia 152:389-400 Peacor and Werner 1997. Ecology 78:1146-1156 Relyea 2000 Ecology 81: 2278-2289 Van Buskirk 2002. Am Nat 160 87-102 Lecture roadmap Basics of phenotypic plasticity Metamorphosis and paedomorphosis Cannibalism Predation Competition Class discussion (next Tuesday) 1 Phenotypic variation is the basis of biology QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime™ and a QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture. are needed to see this picture. TIFF are needed to see this picture. ( Uncom QuickTime™ and a p ressed ) decom p re s Genetic variation leads to phenotypic variation Environmental variation also leads to phenotypic variation Is this important? What did Darwin think? “I speculated whether a species very liable to repeated and great changes of conditions
    [Show full text]
  • Karen M. Warkentin Curriculum Vitae (12/2019)
    KAREN M. WARKENTIN CURRICULUM VITAE (12/2019) Department of Biology, 5 Cummington Mall, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215 Phone: 617-358-2385; Fax: 617-353-6340; email: [email protected] faculty website: http://www.bu.edu/biology/people/profiles/karen-warkentin/ lab website: http://sites.bu.edu/warkentinlab/ orcid.org/0000-0002-7804-800X PERSONAL Birth date: September 26, 1962 Citizenship: Canadian Languages: English, Spanish Status in USA: Permanent Resident Alien EDUCATION PhD, May 1998. Zoology, University of Texas. Advisor: Michael J. Ryan. MSc, October 1990. Biology, Dalhousie University. Advisor: Richard J. Wassersug. BSc, February 1985. Biology, University of Guelph. PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS Professor of Biology and Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Boston University. 2016–present Director of Graduate Studies, Dept. of Biology, Boston University. 2016–2017 Associate Chair, Dept. of Biology, Boston University. 2012–2014 Associate Professor, Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program, Boston University. 2011–2016 (secondary appointment) Associate Professor, Dept. of Biology, Boston University. 2008–2016 Research Associate, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. 2004–present Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biology, Boston University. 2001–2008 Postdoctoral Scholar, Dept. of Biology, University of Kentucky. 1998–2001. Advisor: Andrew Sih. Postdoctoral Fellow, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. 2000–2001. Advisors: A. Stanley Rand and Mary Jane West-Eberhard. HONORS Invited Plenary Speaker Ecological Society of America, 2019
    [Show full text]
  • Anura: Phyllomedusidae)
    Herpetology Notes, volume 14: 151-155 (2021) (published online on 22 January 2021) Multiple observations of atypical colouration in Central American Agalychnis treefrogs (Anura: Phyllomedusidae) Brandon A. Güell1,*, Manuel Sánchez Mendoza2,3, Steven Gallo Gutiérrez, David Garro Acuña, Dionisio Paniagua4, and César Barrio Amorós5 Atypical colouration has been widely documented individuals within this group (though albino, leucistic, across amphibian and reptile taxa (Bechtel, 1995) and other morphs are common in the pet trade). Here we and has been particularly well characterised in North report multiple observations of atypical colouration in American species (Hensley, 1959; Dyrkacz, 1981). It wild gliding treefrogs (Agalychnis spurrelli Boulenger, varies from complete albinism—the absence of any 1913) and red-eyed treefrogs (A. callidryas Cope, 1862) skin pigments including in the eyes—to leucism—the (Anura: Phyllomedusidae). absence of almost all skin pigments except for in the From 2017 to 2020, we opportunistically observed eyes—and different types of partial albinism that are five atypically coloured A. spurrelli at Shampoo Pond determined by the presence and activity of several in Piro (8.2455°N, 83.2045°W) and a rural pond 10 km kinds of chromatophores (Dyrkacz, 1981; Prüst, 1984; outside of Sierpe on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula (Table Bechtel, 1991). 1). In contrast to typical individuals that are green In anurans, atypical colouration has been documented with orange coloured flanks and feet (Fig. 1A), these in several species at both tadpole (Maneyro and Achaval, atypically coloured A. spurrelli were completely yellow 2004; Rodrigues and Oliveira-Filho, 2004; Mitchell and in colour but retained red irises and the white dorsal Mcgranaghan, 2005; Sanabria et al., 2010; Elgue et spots that are usually outlined by black (Duellman, al., 2013; Smith, 2014) and adult life stages (Hensley, 1970; Savage, 2002) (Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Amphibian Species Lista De Especies De Anfibios
    List of Amphibian Species Lista de Especies de Anfibios Updated January 2018 / Actualizado enero del 2018. Despite several surveys throughout the history of the Reserve the species list represents only roughly half of the expected species. This may be due to declining populations of those species or a lack of more systematic sampling during peak periods of activity. A pesar de varios estudios durante la historia de la Reserva, la lista actual de anfibios sola representa la mitad de las especies esperadas. Unas explicaciones incluyen la disminución de las poblaciones de estas especies y una falta de investigaciones coordinadas con periodos de actividad alta. Gymnophiona Dermophiidae Caecilians Gymnopis multiplicata Peters, 1874 Anura Hyloides Meridianura Eleutherodactylidae Dink Frogs Diasporus diastema (Cope, 1875) Craugastoridae Craugastorinae Rain Frogs Craugastor bransfordii (Cope, 1886) Craugastor crassidigitus (Taylor, 1952) Craugastor fitzingeri (Schmidt, 1857) Craugastor mimus (Taylor, 1955) Craugastor noblei (Barbour and Dunn, 1921) Ceuthomantinae Robber Frogs Pristimantis cerasinus (Cope, 1875) Pristimantis cruentus (Peters, 1873) Pristimantis ridens (Cope, 1866) Tinctanura Hylidae Treefrogs Hylinae Hypsiboas rufitelus (Fouquette, 1961) Scinax boulengeri (Cope, 1887) Scinax elaeochrous (Cope, 1875) Smilisca phaeota (Cope, 1862) Smilisca sordida (Peters, 1863) Phyllomedusinae Agalychnis callidryas (Cope, 1862) Agalychnis saltator Taylor, 1955 Centrolenidae Glass Frogs Centroleninae Cochranella granulosa (Taylor, 1949) Espadarana
    [Show full text]
  • Egg Clutch Dehydration Induces Early Hatching in Red-Eyed Treefrogs, Agalychnis Callidryas
    Egg clutch dehydration induces early hatching in red-eyed treefrogs, Agalychnis callidryas María José Salica1, James R. Vonesh2,* and Karen M. Warkentin3,4,* 1 CONICET, Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas (INECOA), Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina 2 Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America 3 Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America 4 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panamá, República de Panamá * These authors contributed equally to this work. ABSTRACT Terrestrial eggs have evolved repeatedly in tropical anurans exposing embryos to the new threat of dehydration. Red-eyed treefrogs, Agalychnis callidryas, lay eggs on plants over water. Maternally provided water allows shaded eggs in humid sites to develop to hatching without rainfall, but unshaded eggs and those in less humid sites can die from dehydration. Hatching responses of amphibian eggs to dry conditions are known from two lineages with independent origins of terrestrial eggs. Here, we experimentally tested for dehydration-induced early hatching in another lineage (Agalychnis callidryas, Phyllomedusidae), representing a third independent origin of terrestrial eggs. We also investigated how dehydration affected egg and clutch structure, and egg mortality. We collected clutches from a pond in Gamboa, Panama, and randomly allocated them to wet or dry treatments at age 1 day. Embryos hatched earlier from dry clutches than from wet clutches, accelerating hatching by ∼11%. Clutch thickness and egg diameter were affected by dehydration, diverging between treatments over time. Meanwhile, mortality in dry clutches was six-fold higher than in control clutches. With this study, early hatching responses to escape mortality from egg dehydration are now known from Submitted 13 October 2016 three anuran lineages with independent origins of terrestrial eggs, suggesting they may Accepted 15 June 2017 be widespread.
    [Show full text]