First report of satellite males during breeding in Leptodactylus latrans (Amphibia, Anura)

Abstract

The occurrence of satellite males is a common behaviour across anuran taxa. Satellite males take peripheral positions to calling males and adopt tactics in an attempt to intercept females that are attracted to calling males to increase their own mating success. Satellite males could have an inexpensive form of mate-locating, avoiding predators, and saving energy. Furthermore, this strategy could play an important role in the genetic structure of populations. The genus Leptodactylus consists of approximately 70 described species that are widely distributed in South America. The literature on the biology of this genus is extensive; however, we found only two reports on the existence of multi-male mating behavior in the genus ( L. chaquensis and L. podicipinus ). Herein, we report intrasexual competition in the form of satellite behavior in Leptodactylus latrans , where multiple satellite males were observed in close vicinity to a calling male.