Multiple anti-predator mechanisms in the red-spotted Argentina Frog (Amphibia: Hylidae)

PIÑEIRO, J.M.; FUSCO, L.S.; CAJADE, R.,; REGUEIRA, E.; MARANGONI, F.; HERMIDA, G.N.; ALCALDE, L

JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY (1987)

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2017 vol. 302 p. 94 - 107

0952-8369

Anurans employ a wide variety of anti-predator mechanisms to defend themselves.In casque-headed hylids, defence is thought to be a complex combination of severalanti-predator mechanisms. However, the defence traits of only a few speciesare known; some hypotheses have yet to be addressed, whereas others, alreadytested in some species, need to be tested in additional taxa. The anti-predatormechanism of the casque-headed frog, Argenteohyla siemersi, is described here. Itis a complex mechanism consisting of (1) behavioural and ecological traits, includingsecretive and semi-phragmotic habits and posture; (2) morphological features,including cryptic and aposematic colourations, a skull covered with bony dermalspines and protuberances that are associated with two types of granular venomglands; and (3) physiological and chemical traits, such as a highly lethal skin secretion.Our results are compared with those of previous studies of defence mechanismsin casque-headed frogs in an effort to understand the mechanisms andevaluate their potential phylogenetic signal in this group of anurans.