Defensive behavior of Odontophrynus americanus (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) (Amphibia, Anura, Odontophrynidae)

Authors

  • Fábio Maffei Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências de Bauru, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas. Avenida Engenheiro Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube, Caixa Postal 473, Bauru, SP, Brasil. CEP17033360
  • Flávio Kulaif Ubaid Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências de Bauru, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas. Avenida Engenheiro Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube, Caixa Postal 473, Bauru, SP, Brasil. CEP17033360

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/nbc.2016.113.10

Abstract

Anurans are a common prey of various animals and some species have developed defense mechanisms against predators. One of these mechanisms is the stiff-legged, in which individuals change their posture to a flat body with stiff and stretched members. Here we report the first record of this behavior in Odontophrynus americanus, a small toad widespread in the southern portion of South America. We believe that this behavior aims to reduce the chances of being seen by the predator.

Keywords: Brazil, Neotropical, frog, camouflage, defensive strategy, stiff-legged.

Downloads

Published

2016-09-05

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 3 (2016): September/December

Section

Short Communication

License

I grant the journal Neotropical Biology and Conservation the first publication of my article, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution license (which allows sharing of work, recognition of authorship and initial publication in this journal).

I confirm that my article is not being submitted to another publication and has not been published in its entirely on another journal. I take full responsibility for its originality and I will also claim responsibility for charges from claims by third parties concerning the authorship of the article.

I also agree that the manuscript will be submitted according to the journal’s publication rules described above.