Interação entre a vegetação e a desova em ninhos de folhas de Pithecopus hypochondrialis (Anura, Phyllomedusidae)

Abstract

Among terrestrial vertebrates, amphibians have the largest reproductive variety, with the frogs (toads, frogs and tree frogs) having 56 known reproductive modes. The Phyllomedusidae family is known for using vegetation to deposit its eggs and build its nests. We seek to characterize the oviposition sites of Pithecopus hypochondrialis and analyze its relationship with the plant used to build its nests, evaluating whether the plants have the potential to protect the clutches from dehydration, to hydrate the clutches or to influence the change in its temperatures. We used artificial agarose clutches and live clutches to assess dehydration,and hydration. And used and HOBO® data loggers to assess changes in temperature. The study was conducted in temporary ponds on a trail that leads to the Tauari River, in the municipality of Marabá, Pará. We observe that the vegetation protects the clutches from dehydration and in some cases it could even hydrate them. We did not observe differences in temperature between artificial clutches exposed or closed in artificial nests. We discussed the results and compare our observations with studies related to reproductive biology of other members of the family.