AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OF Rheohyla miotympanum (ANURA: HYLIDAE) IN NORTHERN HIDALGO, MEXICO

Abstract

Anurans communicate primarily through calls, which can be classified into three categories (reproductive, defensive and aggressive) according to the social context in which they occur. Aggressive calls are usually emitted by males to defend habitat resources (calling sites, females), generally accompanied by physical aggression. Here, we report aggressive behavior between two Rheohyla miotympanum males, possibly triggered by defense of the calling site and for the opportunity for amplexus (receptive female, approximately 80 cm from the scene). This behavior was characterized by physical contact (fight) and the emission of aggressive calls between both males. Future studies are required that make specific observations of the calls, considering the proximity and density of conspecifics, which could help to understanding the main causes of the aggressive behavior of this and other anuran species.