Herpetology Notes, volume 11: 863-864 (2018) (published online on 15 October 2018)

Notes on the diet of Limnomedusa macroglossa (Alsodidae, Anura) in Uruguay

Renata Perez1,*, Jéssica Francine Felappi1, and Fabiane de Oliveira Noronha1

Limnomedusa macroglossa (Duméril and Bibron, Anurans represent 6% of scorpion’s predators (Polis 1841) is a medium-sized species, males with 42–53mm et al., 1981; McCormick and Polis, 1990) with at snout-vent length (SVL) and females 42–62 mm, and least 14 scorpion species recorded in their diet (Polis present terrestrial or semi-fossorial habits, usually living et al., 1981; Lourenço et al., 1997; Botero-Trujillo, along rocky outcrops and streambeds (Kwet et al., 2010; 2006; Maia-Carneiro et al., 2012; Pueta and Perotti, Maneyro et al., 2017). The species is distributed in 2013). Apparently, large terrestrial anurans can feed southern Brazil, from Paraná to Rio Grande do Sul states, extensively on scorpions (Lourenço and Cuelar, 1995), northern Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay (Langone, and represent active predators and effective means of 1995; Winck et al., 2006; Conte et al., 2009; Kwet et al., population control (Lourenço et al., 1997). Nevertheless, 2010; Maneyro and Carreira, 2012). According to the some studies in anuran’s diet could not correctly identify IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Limnomedusa the scorpions’ species and usually represent them within macroglossa is classified as Least Concern (Silvano et Arachnidae (Maragno and Souza, 2011). That could al., 2004). This species is found in almost all Uruguay underestimate the scorpion’s predation within anuran territory, associated to rocky outcrops and small water species. courses, with males usually calling at the water edge As most of anurans, Alsodidae species mainly predate or partially submerged (Langone, 1995; Winck et al., on invertebrates (Alveal et al., 2015). However they are 2006; Maneyro and Carreira, 2012). Some studies have poorly known about their feeding habits, for example, reported information about the reproductive biology of Alsodes coppingeri (Günther, 1881) feeds about the species (see Gudynas and Gehrau, 1981; Langone 22 categories of preys, with Araneae the third most and Prigioni, 1985; Kaefer et al., 2009) however, there represented (Alveal et al., 2015). Despite Maneyro and are no studies regarding its diet, although Maneyro and Carreira (2012) suggested an insectivorous habit. In June 2011, an adult male of Limnomedusa macroglossa (SVL: 49.5 mm, Fig. 1) was found under a rock in an outcrop next to a brook, near Zapucay, Tacuarembó Department, Uruguay (31°47’33.29’’S , 55°18’54.20’’W). Due to its remarkable stomach volume, the specimen was dissected and two whole scorpions (Urophonius sp., total length: 30.40 mm and 30.60 mm) were found in it.

1 Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Campus do Vale, Agronomia, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Figure 1. Limnomedusa macroglossa (RML 2584), * Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Tacuarembó, Uruguay. Photo by J. F. Felappi. 864 Renata Perez et al.

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