Open AccessBreeding in bamboo: a novel anuran reproductive strategy discovered in R hacophorid frogs of the W estern G hats, I ndia
Author(s) -
Seshadri Kadaba Shamanna,
Gururaja Kotambylu Vasudeva,
Bickford David Patrick
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
biological journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.906
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1095-8312
pISSN - 0024-4066
DOI - 10.1111/bij.12388
Subject(s) - biology , amphibian , paternal care , bamboo , context (archaeology) , ecology , nest (protein structural motif) , zoology , paleontology , pregnancy , biochemistry , genetics , offspring
Amphibians exhibit extraordinarily diverse sets of reproductive strategies among vertebrates. Understanding life history strategies in an evolutionary framework is lacking for many amphibian species in the tropics. Here, we report a novel reproductive mode where adult frogs enter hollow internodes of bamboo via a small opening, deposit direct developing eggs, and provide parental care. This behaviour is observed in two species of the frog genus Raorchestes. The first description of this unique life history and details of nest site characteristics and embryo development are provided along with ecological comparisons. Evolution of novel reproductive modes and parental care are discussed in context of natural selection. Dearth of natural history information on amphibians in the W estern G hats and much of the S outh‐ E ast A sian region is highlighted with suggestions for further studies. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2014, 114 , 1–11.