How much fruit do fruit-eating frogs eat? An investigation on the diet of Xenohyla truncata (Lissamphibia: Anura: Hylidae) |
| |
| Authors: | H R da Silva & M C de Britto-Pereira |
| |
| Institution: | Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biologia –Departamento de Biologia Animal, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil;
Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Geociências –Departamento de Geografia, RJ, Brazil |
| |
| Abstract: | This paper presents the results of a 22-month survey and the examination of the intestinal content of 356 specimens of Xenohyla truncata (Anura: Hylidae) from Restinga de Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our results confirm prior observations that fruits are intrinsic to the diet of these frogs. In addition, these new data increase our understanding of the relationship between frogs and the plants they feed upon. Plant consumption follows availability of fruits in the area, indicating that the diversity of fruits consumed by the frogs does not represent choice, but rather plant phenology and fruit availability. |
| |
| Keywords: | Hylidae Xenohyla truncata diet frugivory Restinga Neoregelia cruenta bromeliad Anthurium harrisii Erythroxylum ovalifolium Maytenus obtusifolia |
|
|
