Temporal distribution and age structure of tadpoles of Hypsiboas faber and H. leptolineatus in ponds: how do they coexist?

Abstract

According to the theory of limiting similarity, two closely similar species that compete for resources can coexist when the ratio of the sizes of their trophic apparatus is approximately 1.3. In this study, we investigated how two similar tadpole forms coexist. We described the temporal distribution of the tadpoles of Hypsiboas faber and H. leptolineatus in ponds during the course of one year, detailing the respective age structures (Gosner stages and size). We also estimated total length ratios. The larger-sized species, H. faber, entered the ponds earlier in the year, which might give it some advantage in resource exploitation and favour the maintenance of the size difference between the species. The size difference may lead to a difference in microhabitat utilization and/or modify resource preferences, thus allowing the two species to coexist.