Interspecific amplexus of Rhinella marina (Linnaeus, 1758) and Polypedates leucomystax (Gravenhorst, 1829) on Mindoro Island, Philippines
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Webb, M.S. & Zdunek, P. (2023). Interspecific amplexus of Rhinella marina (Linnaeus, 1758) and Polypedates leucomystax (Gravenhorst, 1829) on Mindoro Island, Philippines. Southeast Asia Vertebrate Records 2023: 005‐006.
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During a herpetological survey we observed an interspecific amplexus between two different anurans, namely
Black‐spotted Sticky Frog (Kalophrynus pleurostigma) and Big‐eyed Frog (Pulchrana grandocula) (Fig. 1). They were
found near a pond where Pulchrana grandocula was abundant. No eggs were produced at the time of observation.
Amphibians are one of the most species‐rich vertebrate taxa, with diverse and complex reproductive behaviors. Even though mate recognition plays a vital role in reproductive success, unusual amplexus with non‐suitable mates (misdirected amplexus) have been reported to occur in the wild. Misdirected amplexus may decrease fitness, thus likely having ecological and evolutionary consequences and their frequency might increase with human‐induced changes in habitat. However, it is still unclear what promotes this unusual behavior and how widespread it is at spatial and phylogenetic scales. To fill this gap, we compiled a global database of misdirected amplexus events from literature and personal observations, with detailed information on environmental, geographical, and behavioral aspects of reported events. Furthermore, we discuss its spatial, temporal, and phylogenetic patterns. We provide a data set of 378 misdirected amplexus events for 156 amplectant species distributed across 69 genera and 18 families distributed in 52 countries in all continents except Antarctica. We collected data published or collected during the last 100 years, from 1920 to 2020, with information on the hour, month, and year of the misdirected amplexus events. We recorded a total of 282 interspecific amplexus, 46 necrophiliac amplexus, and 50 amplexus with objects or non‐amphibian species, with the United States and Brazil being the countries with the highest number of records. Misdirected amplexus did not occur equally in all zoogeographical realms, with most events occurring in the Neotropical and Nearctic realms. Interspecific amplexus was especially represented in the Neotropical and Mediterranean regions. Most events involved three species‐rich globally distributed families (Bufonidae, Ranidae, and Hylidae) but misdirected amplexus was widespread in the phylogeny. We provide a comprehensive data set of misdirected amplexus for anurans, with our results showing that it occurs extensively in the wild and across the globe. This data set provides a baseline for understanding misdirected amplexus and their spatial, temporal, and phylogenetic patterns. Likewise, this data set offers a baseline to test the environmental, ecological, and ethological drivers behind this reproductive behavior and we encourage researchers to report detailed observations of misdirected amplexus to better understand this process and its potential costs at the individual and population levels. The data are not copyright restricted; this data paper should be cited when data are used for publication, and the authors would appreciate being notified of research projects or teaching purposes when these data are used.
Variation in the social environment produces selection on morphological and behavioral traits. It is less clear how the social environment generates variation in demography through behavioral mechanisms. Theory suggests that one aspect of social environment, relative abundance of heterospecifics, influences the intensity of reproductive interference and its demographic effects. These effects are countered by species recognition and female preferences. We studied the effects of social environment on reproductive success in replicated, mixed breeding populations of two ranid frogs, Rana latastei and Rana dalmatina, the former being of international conservation concern. We manipulated the social environment of female R. latastei experimentally by varying the relative abundance of potential conspecific and heterospecific sexual partners. We measured amplexus frequency and recorded the reproductive success of R. latastei females. When conspecific males were relatively uncommon, (1) the absolute and relative frequencies of conspecific amplexus decreased, indicating a breakdown of sexual isolation, (2) oviposition was less frequent, and (3) the percentage of viable embryos in deposited clutches decreased. R. latastei females in an environment of low relative conspecific abundance (1:5, R. Latastei:R. dalmatina) demonstrated 6.8% the reproductive success of females in an environment exclusively with conspecifics. We present a model for the dependence of conspecific amplexus on the social environment. We discuss several mechanisms that may influence reproduction by R. latastei, and we support conservation of the species' preferred habitat to reduce opportunities for reproductive interference that occur at shared breeding sites. Copyright 2003.
Interspecific amplexus between Ingerophrynus philippinicus and Megophrys ligayae on Palawan Island
- I I Lorenzo
- A N Ralubit
Lorenzo II, A. N., & Ralubit, N. D. C. (2019). Interspecific amplexus between Ingerophrynus philippinicus and
Megophrys ligayae on Palawan Island, Philippines. Southeast Asia Vertebrate Records 2019: 074-075.
A naturalist's guide to the Reptiles & Amphibians of Bali
- R Somaweera
Somaweera, R. (2020). A naturalist's guide to the Reptiles & Amphibians of Bali. John Beaufoy publishing 2nd
edition. 64 pp.
Amphibians and Reptiles of Komodo National Park. Aaranya Wildlife Odysseys
- R Somaweera
- A Azis
- E Resa
- M Panggur
- D Saverinus
- K Muga
Somaweera, R., Azis, A., Resa, E., Panggur, M., Saverinus, D., and Muga, K. (2018). Amphibians and Reptiles of
Komodo National Park. Aaranya Wildlife Odysseys. 17 pp.