Nematodes Infecting the Shield Frog <i>Adelophryne baturitensis</i> in Rainforest Enclaves of Brazilian Semiarid

Abstract

Parasitological studies provide important information about host biology. However, most anuran species in mountain environments have their helminth fauna understudied. In the present study, we aimed to inventory the endoparasites associated with the shield frog Adelophryne baturitensis from an altitudinal rainforest enclave in the Brazilian semiarid region. We found 57 specimens from five nematode taxa. Perhaps, the high nematode infection on this mountain frog might be related to the host’s direct life cycle where they do not need water ponds to lay eggs and reach tadpole development. Trematodes and other endoparasite taxa are commonly reported in water-dependent frogs. Although shield frogs seem to be myrmecophagous, more studies are still needed to investigate how their feeding habits might influence parasitological infection. Our study is an important contribution to understanding the parasite-host ecological relationship in minute frogs.