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