Testing the nest-homing abilities of a phytotelm-breeding frog, Chirixalus eiffingeri (Rhacophoridae).
We conducted a manipulative experiment to assess the homing of female Chirixalus eiffingeri to the nest. There were three experimental treatments and a control. For the control treatment, bamboo stumps were cut off at the base and reattached. In the first experimental treatment, when stumps were displaced 1 m, the proportion of stumps attended by females and the growth of tadpoles did not differ from the results of the control treatment, suggesting the 1-m stump displacement did not affect the nest homing of female frogs. In the second experimental treatment, when a bamboo stump was displaced 1 m and a new bamboo stump with tadpoles was put in its place, some females fed tadpoles in the displaced stump (3/12), but some fed tadpoles in the stump (3/12) at the original site. This finding suggests that the addition of a new stump confused the female frogs spatially, which resulted in females feeding the tadpoles in either stump. In the third experimental treatment, when a bamboo stump was displaced 1 m and a new stump without tadpoles was added at the original site, some female frogs fed tadpoles in the displaced stump (5/12) but some laid trophic eggs in the stump (4/12) at the original site, also indicating the female frogs were confused spatially. The overall results support the hypothesis that females rely on the spatial distribution of a nest stump, relative to other bamboo stumps, for nest homing to feed their offspring, and that stump location is an important cue to the nest homing of females.
Chiu
Chia-Te
CT
Department of Biology, National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan.
Kam
Yeong-Choy
YC
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006702:Homing Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D009425:Nesting Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D010058:Oviposition / Q000502:physiology*; D006109:Poaceae