We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Predation of a La Loma Robber Frog, Pristimantis caryophyllaceus (Barbour, 1928), by a Rhinoceros Spear Bearer, Copiphora rhinoceros Pictet, 1888.
- Authors
MANUEL MORA, JOSÉ; MATARRITA GUTIÉRREZ, KENNETH; LÓPEZ, LUCÍA I.
- Abstract
Anurans play vital roles within their ecosystems, acting as both predators and prey, and as such they are key food web components in many regions. The La Loma Robber Frog, Pristimantis caryophyllaceus, is found in Costa Rica and Panama, from sea level to 1,900 m elevation. We found one of these frogs being preyed upon by a Rhinoceros Spear Bearer, Copiphora rhinoceros, a cone-headed katydid known from Nicaragua to Panama. It is a large (up to 73 mm long body and wings), yellow-green, heavily spined insect. It is an omnivore, having sharp and powerful mandibles. There are plenty of cases of arthropods predating amphibians, mainly in freshwater systems, however there are very few reports of insects feeding on adult amphibians. This is the first reported case that we know of in which an orthopteran insect is predating and feeding on a frog.
- Subjects
ELEUTHERODACTYLUS; KATYDIDS; PREDATION
- Publication
Caribbean Journal of Science, 2023, Vol 53, Issue 2, p222
- ISSN
0008-6452
- Publication type
Article