Interspecific amplexus of Rhinella marina and Polypedates leucomystax in Philippines
🤓 This type of interspecies event is not uncommon in many countries, even in the Philippines. The exact causes and mechanisms of misdirected amplexus are still unclear. It is possible that the high abundance of heterospecific males and the low abundance of same‐species males may impact it.
🐸 Whilst the Cane Toad is frequently observed within Barangay Udalo and throughout the seasons, the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog is less abundant but is more likely to be encountered during the wet season. We have observed that the local population of the latter has noticeably increased in past years due to the installation of birdbaths at a height of 1 meter above the ground. Both eggs and tadpoles have been observed in these containers.
👀 In the photo, this is the first documented observation of interspecific amplexus between a native and an introduced species on Mindoro Island.
🕵 How to recognise them ?
👉 The female Cane Toad (which are much bigger than males) can be identified by their large, triangular, swollen parotid glands, cranial ridges are well‐developed, and skin with irregularly scattered warts. Rhinella marina is an introduced species in the Philippines.
👉 The Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog can be identified by their slightly built, snout pointed, lacks raised warts/tubercles on back, fingers and toes with circular discs, toes fully webbed except on toe 4, lateral face darker than dorsal, and a prominent dark stripe extends from the snout, through the eye, above he tympanum and past the neck.
👉 If you want more information, I encourage you to read the references:
Webb, M.S., Zdunek, P. 2023. Interspecific amplexus of Rhinella marina (Linnaeus, 1758) and Polypedates leucomystax (Gravenhorst, 1829) on Mindoro Island, Philippines. Southeast Asia Vertebrate Records 2023: 005–006.
More interesting facts from the world of herpetology on my new page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573408584356
#frogs #toads #amphibiens #Philippines #introducedspecies #science #amplexus #animalbehavior #mating #herpetology #nature #oneplanet #changein #animals #Amphibia #anura #note
Naturalist, traveler, French-Polish herpetologist, interested in biodiversity and the conservation of herpetofauna. I have always been passionate about observing and studying amphibians and reptiles, especially different species of lizards in many countries. This has allowed me to gain experience in scientific research by collaborating with other specialists, attending numerous conferences and writing papers on herpetofauna. I participate in numerous monitoring and conservation programmes. Member of the IUCN SSC Monitor Lizard Specialist Group. Addicted to Natural History.
Education and the sharing of knowledge is the key to progress and understanding.
"Learning from the past to understand the present and prepare the future."
Please sign in or register for FREE
If you are a registered user on WildHub, please sign in
Thanks for sharing Przemy! I added your post to the "Celebrating our work & nature" room, so that members are notified of this new content which will increase your post's visibility. Any questions, please let me know.