Predation on a conspecific by Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in the southern Pantanal, Brazil

Autores/as

  • Felipe Messias Author
  • Jean Pablo Alves de Deus Author
  • Cynthia Peralta de Almeida Prado Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18315874

Palabras clave:

Batrachophagy, cannibalism, food web, predator-prey relationship

Resumen

Anurans play an important role in food chains, acting both as predators and prey for several animal groups. Due to their opportunistic feeding habits, anurans may occupy a broad trophic niche, which can be influenced by factors such as food availability. The quantity and quality of food resources are affected by environmental variables, including the seasonal flooding regime of the Pantanal region. During the dry season, some anuran species may experience a reduction in trophic resources, which can lead to intraspecific predation. Here, we report an instance of in situ predation involving an adult Leptodactylus macrosternum preying on a conspecific juvenile in the southern Pantanal. The adult approached the juvenile and attempted to swallow the anterior portion of its body, leaving only the hind limbs protruding from the mouth. Such opportunistic and cannibalistic behaviors may be associated with ecological advantages, including the reduction of intraspecific competition and an increase in energetic gain.

Biografía del autor/a

  • Felipe Messias

    I am a biologist with a degree from UNESP Botucatu and a Master’s degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity from UNESP Rio Claro, where I developed a research project related to reproductive investment in Bokermannohyla species from Ibitipoca State Park, Minas Gerais state. Besides having a strong interest in reproductive behavior, I also greatly appreciate the areas of morphological character evolution, ecology, and biogeography

  • Jean Pablo Alves de Deus

    I am a biologist with a PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity from UNESP – São Paulo. I am involved in major research projects such as the National Institute of Science and Technology for Parasitoid Hymenoptera at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), the Long-Term Ecological Research Program for the Cantareira-Mantiqueira Corridor (UNESP), the Thematic Project “Atlantic Forest Connection” (UNESP), and the Research, Innovation, and Dissemination Center CBioClima (UNESP). My research explores topics ranging from insect natural history and behavior to the structuring of their communities, with a primary focus on solitary wasps, bees, and their natural enemies. To achieve this, I use geospatial data and tools (Landscape Ecology) and complex networks (Network Theory) to understand the dynamics of these biological systems.

  • Cynthia Peralta de Almeida Prado

    I am a biologist with a master’s degree in Ecology and Conservation from the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. I received my PhD in Zoology from the UNESP in Rio Claro, SP. Since 2008, I have been a professor in the area of Vertebrate Zoology in the Department of Morphology and Animal Physiology, UNESP in Jaboticabal, SP. My main research interests include the ecology and evolution of reproductive behaviors in anurans, investigating topics such as gonadosomatic investment, reproductive trade-offs, reproductive modes, and parental care.

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Publicado

2026-05-06

Número

Vol. 15 Núm. 1 (2026): Herpetologia Brasileira

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Artigos

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Derechos de autor 2026 Herpetologia Brasileira

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Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución 4.0.

Cómo citar

MESSIAS, Felipe; ALVES DE DEUS, Jean Pablo; PERALTA DE ALMEIDA PRADO, Cynthia. Predation on a conspecific by Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in the southern Pantanal, Brazil. Herpetologia Brasileira, [S. l.], v. 15, n. 1, 2026. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18315874. Disponível em: https://hb.sbherpetologia.org.br/index.php/hb/article/view/244. Acesso em: 15 jun. 2026.