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Reproduction in the toad Colostethus trinitatus (Anura: Dendrobatidae) in a northern Venezuela seasonal environment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

María José Praderio  and
Michael D. Robinson
María José Praderio
Affiliation:
Departamento de Estudios Ambientales, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela
Michael D. Robinson
Affiliation:
Departamento de Estudios Ambientales, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela
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Abstract

Various aspects of the reproductive biology of a montane population of Colostethus trinitatus were quantified during the transition from a prolonged dry season to a wet season with abnormally low rainfall. One-third to three-quarters of the females collected in the dry period (March to June) had mature ovarian follicles. The proportion of ovigerous females did not increase in July or August when the number of rainy days was greater. However, breed-ing and egg laying were only observed in the latter season. The principal environmental change that stimulated oviposition was frequent daily rain which increased humidity in the terrestrial nest sites.

Pair formation, nests, and males carrying larvae are reliable criteria that indicate the breeding period of Colostethus trinitatus. The average number of mature ovules (>2 mm) was greater in the wet season (=13.1) than during the dry months (= 11.3). Female standard length and the number of yolked follicles was positively correlated. Five nests contained an average of 13.6 eggs, and males carried only slightly fewer larvae (= 11.5). One female and one individual of unknown sex were found with eggs at two different nests. Five nests were unattended.

Keywords

AnuraíColostethus trinitatusDendrobatidaereproductionseasonal tropical environmentstoad
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 6 , Issue 3 , August 1990 , pp. 333 - 341
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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