Feeding habits of Lithobates megapoda (Anura: Ranidae), a threatened leopard frog used for human consumption, in Lake Chapala, Mexico
Por:
Barragán-Ramírez J.L., Hernandez, Benjamin, Velarde-Aguilar M.G., Perez-Flores, Oscar, Navarrete-Heredia J.L., Pineda, Eduardo
Publicada:
1 jun 2021
Categoría:
Animal science and zoology
Resumen:
The Big-footed Leopard Frog (Lithobates megapoda) is a threatened and
endemic species from western Mexico. This species has aquatic habits and
it is distinguished by its large size, particularly by the length of its
legs, reason for which it is captured for human consumption. Also,
knowledge about its natural history is scarce and incomplete. In this
study, we analyzed the composition of the diet of L. megapoda on the
shore of Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico. A total of 69 adult
individuals were collected lifeless in fishing nets, during the rainy
season (June-October), of which 48 had stomach contents. A total of 96
prey items were identified, which correspond to 13 prey categories. Fish
constituted the most dominant prey category in the diet in terms of
number, volume, frequency of occurrence, and relative importance. No
significant differences were found in the consumption by prey type
(aquatic or terrestrial). However, the aquatic preys had a greater
relative importance and were more voluminous than the terrestrial ones.
The diversity of prey categories, in terms of prey volume, indicates
males may have a higher dietary diversity than females, but we not
evaluated possible bias. In addition, a significant effect was found in
the interaction of size (SVL) of frogs with the average of prey volume.
Females (that are larger than males) consumed prey within a wide volume
range and, the larger they are, more voluminous are prey. In this way it
is possible that intraspecific competition for trophic resources in the
environment is reduced. This study helps us understand the trophic
ecology of L. megapoda, a frog species that plays an important role in
the food web where it lives, as a predator feeding on aquatic and
terrestrial organisms.
Filiaciones:
Barragán-Ramírez J.L.:
Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro de Estudios en Zoología - CUCBA, Apartado postal 134, Zapopan, Jalisco, 45100, Mexico
Hernandez, Benjamin:
Tecnológico Nacional de Mexico, Instituto Tecnológico de Tlajomulco, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Carretera Tlajomulco-San Miguel Cuyutlán Km. 10, Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco, C.P. 45640, Mexico
Inst Tecnol Tlajomulco, Tecnol Nacl Mexico, Dept Ciencias Basicas, Carretera Tlajomulco San Miguel Cuyutlin Km 10, Tlajomulco De Zuniga 45640, Jalisco, Mexico
Velarde-Aguilar M.G.:
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia, Colección Nacional de Insectos, Av. Universidad 3000, Distrito Federal, Delegación Coyoacán, C.P. 04510, Mexico
Perez-Flores, Oscar:
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia, Colección Nacional de Insectos, Av. Universidad 3000, Distrito Federal, Delegación Coyoacán, C.P. 04510, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Biol, Colecc Nacl Insectos, Av Univ 3000, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
Navarrete-Heredia J.L.:
Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro de Estudios en Zoología - CUCBA, Apartado postal 134, Zapopan, Jalisco, 45100, Mexico
Pineda, Eduardo:
Instituto de Ecología, Red de Biología y Conservación de Vertebrados, A.C, Xalapa, Veracruz, C.P. 91073, Mexico
Inst Ecol, Red Biol & Conservat Vertebrados, Xalapa 91073, Veracruz, Mexico
Univ Guadalajara, Ctr Estudios Zool CUCBA, Apartado Postal 134, Zapopan 45100, Jalisco, Mexico
gold, All Open Access; Gold
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