A1 Journal article (refereed)
Pool choice in a vertical landscape : Tadpole‐rearing site flexibility in phytotelm‐breeding frogs (2021)

Fouilloux, C. A., Serrano Rojas, S. J., Carvajal‐Castro, J. D., Valkonen, J. K., Gaucher, P., Fischer, M., Pašukonis, A., & Rojas, B. (2021). Pool choice in a vertical landscape : Tadpole‐rearing site flexibility in phytotelm‐breeding frogs. Ecology and Evolution, 11(13), 9021-9038. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7741

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Fouilloux, Chloe A.; Serrano Rojas, Shirley Jennifer; Carvajal‐Castro, Juan David; Valkonen, Janne K.; Gaucher, Philippe; Fischer, Marie‐Therese; Pašukonis, Andrius; Rojas, Bibiana

Journal or series: Ecology and Evolution

ISSN: 2045-7758

eISSN: 2045-7758

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 15/06/2021

Volume: 11

Issue number: 13

Pages range: 9021-9038

Publisher: Wiley

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7741

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76575

Abstract

Many species of Neotropical frogs have evolved to deposit their tadpoles in small water bodies inside plant structures called phytotelmata. These pools are small enough to exclude large predators but have limited nutrients and high desiccation risk. Here, we explore phytotelm use by three common Neotropical species: Osteocephalus oophagus, an arboreal frog that periodically feeds eggs to its tadpoles; Dendrobates tinctorius, a tadpole-transporting poison frog with cannibalistic tadpoles; and Allobates femoralis, a terrestrial tadpole-transporting poison frog with omnivorous tadpoles. We found that D. tinctorius occupies pools across the chemical and vertical gradient, whereas A. femoralis and O. oophagus appear to have narrower deposition options that are restricted primarily by pool height, water capacity, alkalinity, and salinity. Dendrobates tinctorius tadpoles are particularly flexible and can survive in a wide range of chemical, physical, and biological conditions, whereas O. oophagus seems to prefer small, clear pools and A. femoralis occupies medium-sized pools with abundant leaf litter and low salinity. Together, these results show the possible niche partitioning of phytotelmata among frogs and provide insight into stressors and resilience of phytotelm breeders.

Keywords: frogs; water systems; aquatic ecology

Free keywords: competition; niche partitioning; parental care; phytotelmata; poison frogs; tadpoles

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1