What does a Pacman eat? Macrophagy and necrophagy in a generalist predator ( Ceratophrys stolzmanni )

PeerJ

article

Diana Székely¹  Fernando P. Gaona⁴  Paul Székely³  Dan Cogălniceanu¹ 

[1] Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Ovidius University Constanța;Laboratory of Fish and Amphibian Ethology, Behavioural Biology Unit, FOCUS, University of Liège;Association Chelonia Romania;Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, EcoSs Lab, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja

关键词: Feeding ecology;    Amphibian;    Food-chain;    Predator;    Dry forest;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.6406

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

We describe for the first time the feeding ecology of the Pacific horned frog (Ceratophrys stolzmanni), as inferred through gastrointestinal tract content analysis and behavioural observations in its natural habitat. Ingested prey in adults ranged from mites and various insects to frogs and snakes. Prey items predominantly consisted of gastropods, non-formicid hymenopterans, and centipedes. We found no relationship between the size of the predator and the prey ingested, in terms of prey size, volume or number of items ingested. Additional direct observations indicate that all post-metamorphic stages are voracious, preying on vertebrates and engaging in anurophagy, cannibalism, and even necrophagy. Our study sheds light on the feeding habits of one of the least known species of horned frog.

【 授权许可】

CC BY