Rhinella major (Anura: Bufonidae) and Leptodactylus macrosternum (Anura: Leptodactylidae): predation and cannibalism by Leptodactylus macrosternum

Abstract

Cannibalism among anurans has been documented for many species, both on eggs, tadpoles and post-metamorphic specimens. Here we make note of cannibalism among Leptodactylus macrosternum at the area flooded, municipality of Santana, State of Amapa, Brazil. The initial observation was prompted by following an distress call, revealed to be emitted by an individual L. macrosternum which was biting the hind limbs of the male L. macrosternum . For approximately 20 min we observed the attempting to cannibalism of the frog. The individuals was collected and placed into a plastic bag and transported to the laboratory for analysis. The stomach contents of L. macrosternum included two anuran species: L. macrosternum and Rhinella major .This is the first report of adult canibalism in this species. Moreover, no evidence of cannibalism could be found even in intensive comparative studies on stomach contents.