The risks of standing out to mate: Predation of Hylodes cardosoi by Bothrops jararaca

Abstract

AbstractVocalization, visual and chemical signals are courtship behaviours of anurans that may expose them to the risk of predation. Here, we described a predation event in which a population of the torrent frog Hylodes cardosoi was in intense courtship behaviour and one individual was caught by a specimen of the pitviper Bothrops jararaca. The predation event was recorded in a region of Atlantic Forest, Paraná, Brazil. We hypothesized that the pitviper was ambush hunting and captured a female frog that was attracted by the vocalization of a nearby male. Predatory interactions are important ecological factors driving the evolution and population size of both prey and predator. This report increases the prey richness described for B. jararaca and also extends the known geographic distribution of H. cardosoi. Our observation contributes to knowledge of the natural history of the species involved.