Amphibian life history in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau: dimorphism, phenology and trophic ecology of a hylid frog, Hyla eximia (=Dryophytes eximius)
The study of demographic and life history aspects of an organism provides valuable information for its conservation. Here, we analyze the phenology of the Mountain Treefrog Hyla eximia (= Dryophytes eximius) in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau. Females were larger in snout-vent length...
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PeerJ Inc.
2018-11-01
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/5897.pdf |
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| author | Uriel Hernández-Salinas Aurelio Ramírez-Bautista Barry P. Stephenson Raciel Cruz-Elizalde Christian Berriozabal-Islas Carlos Jesús Balderas-Valdivia |
| author_facet | Uriel Hernández-Salinas Aurelio Ramírez-Bautista Barry P. Stephenson Raciel Cruz-Elizalde Christian Berriozabal-Islas Carlos Jesús Balderas-Valdivia |
| author_sort | Uriel Hernández-Salinas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The study of demographic and life history aspects of an organism provides valuable information for its conservation. Here, we analyze the phenology of the Mountain Treefrog Hyla eximia (= Dryophytes eximius) in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau. Females were larger in snout-vent length and body mass than males. The peak period of activity occurred in the rainy season (May–September), with amplexus and egg deposition occurring between June and July, and larval development from July to August. A logistic model best explained observed male growth patterns, while the Von Bertalanffy model better described female growth. Notably, males grew faster than females, although females reached a larger overall body size. The diet of this species is made up of 10 prey categories. The index of diet importance indicated that males feed mainly on Coleoptera and Diptera, while females feed on Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, and Aranea. Both females and males showed a significant abundance of plant material in their stomachs, suggesting that H. eximia might exhibit highly specialized feeding behavior. Reproduction was seasonal, and both female and male reproductive cycles are synchronized with the rainy season. These natural history characteristics provide information to better understand their responses to environmental conditions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T08:18:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ef33fd3f37ed455a8a549897d9f30eec |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T08:18:09Z |
| publishDate | 2018-11-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-ef33fd3f37ed455a8a549897d9f30eec2023-12-02T22:00:16ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592018-11-016e589710.7717/peerj.5897Amphibian life history in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau: dimorphism, phenology and trophic ecology of a hylid frog, Hyla eximia (=Dryophytes eximius)Uriel Hernández-Salinas0Aurelio Ramírez-Bautista1Barry P. Stephenson2Raciel Cruz-Elizalde3Christian Berriozabal-Islas4Carlos Jesús Balderas-Valdivia5Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional (CIIDIR) Unidad Durango, Durango, Durango, MexicoLaboratorio de Ecología de Poblaciones, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Instituto de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, MexicoDepartment of Biology, Mercer University, Macon, GA, USALaboratorio de Ecología de Poblaciones, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Instituto de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, MexicoLaboratorio de Ecología de Poblaciones, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Instituto de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, Hidalgo, MexicoDirección General de Divulgación de la Ciencia, Zona Cultural de Ciudad Universitaria, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, MexicoThe study of demographic and life history aspects of an organism provides valuable information for its conservation. Here, we analyze the phenology of the Mountain Treefrog Hyla eximia (= Dryophytes eximius) in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau. Females were larger in snout-vent length and body mass than males. The peak period of activity occurred in the rainy season (May–September), with amplexus and egg deposition occurring between June and July, and larval development from July to August. A logistic model best explained observed male growth patterns, while the Von Bertalanffy model better described female growth. Notably, males grew faster than females, although females reached a larger overall body size. The diet of this species is made up of 10 prey categories. The index of diet importance indicated that males feed mainly on Coleoptera and Diptera, while females feed on Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, and Aranea. Both females and males showed a significant abundance of plant material in their stomachs, suggesting that H. eximia might exhibit highly specialized feeding behavior. Reproduction was seasonal, and both female and male reproductive cycles are synchronized with the rainy season. These natural history characteristics provide information to better understand their responses to environmental conditions.https://peerj.com/articles/5897.pdfAmphibianGrowth rateDietReproduction |
| spellingShingle | Uriel Hernández-Salinas Aurelio Ramírez-Bautista Barry P. Stephenson Raciel Cruz-Elizalde Christian Berriozabal-Islas Carlos Jesús Balderas-Valdivia Amphibian life history in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau: dimorphism, phenology and trophic ecology of a hylid frog, Hyla eximia (=Dryophytes eximius) PeerJ Amphibian Growth rate Diet Reproduction |
| title | Amphibian life history in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau: dimorphism, phenology and trophic ecology of a hylid frog, Hyla eximia (=Dryophytes eximius) |
| title_full | Amphibian life history in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau: dimorphism, phenology and trophic ecology of a hylid frog, Hyla eximia (=Dryophytes eximius) |
| title_fullStr | Amphibian life history in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau: dimorphism, phenology and trophic ecology of a hylid frog, Hyla eximia (=Dryophytes eximius) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Amphibian life history in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau: dimorphism, phenology and trophic ecology of a hylid frog, Hyla eximia (=Dryophytes eximius) |
| title_short | Amphibian life history in a temperate environment of the Mexican Plateau: dimorphism, phenology and trophic ecology of a hylid frog, Hyla eximia (=Dryophytes eximius) |
| title_sort | amphibian life history in a temperate environment of the mexican plateau dimorphism phenology and trophic ecology of a hylid frog hyla eximia dryophytes eximius |
| topic | Amphibian Growth rate Diet Reproduction |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/5897.pdf |
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