Reproductive biology of Hyla goiana (Anura, Hylidae)

Marcelo Menin,Ariovaldo A Giaretta,Rodrigo A Silva

doi:10.1590/s0073-47212004000100008

Marcelo Menin, Ariovaldo A Giaretta + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0073-47212004000100008

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Abstract

Male-male and male-female interactions, reproductive habitat, and vocalizations of Hyla goiana B. Lutz, 1968 a member of H. polytaenia species group, are described. Three groups of calling males were surveyed along a small stream, at the Estação de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Ambiental de Galheiro, Perdizes municipality, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The mean distance between the nearest calling neighbors was 2.7 m, in accordance with an uniform distribution. Clutches (mean 180 eggs) were deposited in the stream, submerged and attached to plants. In two observed courtships the female moved towards a calling male that rapidly clasped her. In the male-male interaction, the males emitted advertisement and encounter calls and then engaged in physical combat. The males have a prepollical fang-like spine on each hand and several of them were observed with scratches on dorsum. The advertisement call consists of alternating harsh notes and a trilled of brief notes. The frequency of the call is lower than that of H. aff. polytaenia and H. cipoensis B. Lutz, 1968. The clutch characteristics of H. goiana are similar to those described for H. polytaenia Cope, 1870 and H. cipoensis.

Highlights

Several neotropical hylid frogs have been used as models for the study of territoriality and male-male behavioral interactions including fighting, emission of aggressive calls, and spatial distribution in choruses (CARDOSO & HADDAD, 1984; MARTINS & HADDAD, 1988; BASTOS & HADDAD, 1995, 1996)
Hyla goiana specimens from the EPDA have the typical longitudinal striped pattern of members of the Hyla polytaenia group
Aggressive behavior related to territoriality has been reported in a number of hylids, and most have territorial calls, H. minuta Peters, 1872 (CARDOSO & HADDAD, 1984), H. wavrini Parker, 1936 (MARTINS & MOREIRA, 1991), H. elegans Wied-Neuwied, 1824 (BASTOS & HADDAD, 1995), and H. faber Wied-Neuwied, 1821 (MARTINS et al, 1998)

Summary

Introduction

Several neotropical hylid frogs have been used as models for the study of territoriality and male-male behavioral interactions including fighting, emission of aggressive calls, and spatial distribution in choruses (CARDOSO & HADDAD, 1984; MARTINS & HADDAD, 1988; BASTOS & HADDAD, 1995, 1996). The Hyla polytaenia species group includes seven small species (CARAMASCHI & CRUZ, 2000), and little is known about their reproductive ecology. Are described male-male and male-female interactions, reproductive habitat, and calls of Hyla goiana B.

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