Breeding ecology and phenology of two stream breeding myobatrachid frogs (<i>Mixophyes fleayi and M. fasciolatus</i>) in south-east Queensland

Stratford, Danial; Grigg, Gordon C.; McCallum, Hamish; Hines, Harry B.

doi:10.7882/az.2010.007

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…These are field measurements taken using calipers, with the eggs on a solid substrate and are the diameter of the capsule (see Anstis 2002, p. 70). Stratford et al 2010). Amplectant males were observed on at least two occasions to fend off other males with their hind limbs.…”

Section: Australian Zoologist Volume 37 (3)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Oviposition and egg mass morphology in barred frogs (Anura: Myobatrachidae:MixophyesGünther, 1864), its phylogenetic significance and implications for conservation management

Knowles

Thumm²,

Mahony

et al. 2015

Australian Zoologist

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Several species of the Australo-Papuan genus Mixophyes (barred frogs) have declined markedly and are now considered threatened. During field investigations into the possible causes of declines, we observed oviposition and numerous egg masses (700+) of the four species from southeast Australia. From these and published observations there are two markedly different ovipositional processes within Mixophyes. In M. coggeri, M. fasciolatus and M. iteratus eggs are laid in water then deposited terrestrially, propelled from the foot of the floating female onto a near-vertical or overhanging stream bank (Ovipositional Process 1). In M. balbus and M. fleayi eggs are deposited aquatically in the shallow riffle zones of small streams, either into a rounded nest depression in the substrate (Ovipositional Process 2A), or occasionally directly onto bedrock (Ovipositional Process 2B). These observations of ovipositing and egg masses show that there are three reproductive modes in the genus: mode 2 -eggs and exotrophic tadpoles in lotic water (M. fleayi), mode 4 -eggs and early larval stages in constructed basins, exotrophic tadpoles in streams subsequent to flooding -(M. balbus and M. fleayi), and mode 18 (terrestrial eggs above water, exotrophic hatchlings move to water (M. carbinensis, M. coggeri, M. fasciolatus, M. iteratus and M. schevilli). Mixophyes fasciolatus was the only species to use both lentic as well as lotic waters for larval development. For the Australian species amplexus was axillary, occasionally shifting during the process of oviposition to inguinal. Amplexus for the New Guinean M. hihihorlo, is unknown, as is the ovipositional process and reproductive mode. The phylogenetic significance of our observations is that Mixophyes species have non-foamy egg masses, which accords with their recent placement in the family Myobatrachidae. However, no other members of this family show either of the described processes of oviposition, and furthermore we observed amplexus in Mixophyes to be axillary whereas all other reports for myobatrachids are of inguinal amplexus. Our findings have consequences for management of the habitat of barred frogs, three of which are considered threatened. The construction of creek crossings (for vehicles, bikes, horse riding, pedestrians) in riffle zones, the trampling of creek banks by cattle, horses, pigs and humans and changes to the hydrology of creeks by damming or regulating flows that alter the connection between hydrology and stream bank structures, are all likely to have a negative impact on reproductive success.

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Section: Australian Zoologist Volume 37 (3)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Oviposition and egg mass morphology in barred frogs (Anura: Myobatrachidae:MixophyesGünther, 1864), its phylogenetic significance and implications for conservation management

Knowles

Thumm²,

Mahony

et al. 2015

Australian Zoologist

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“…Dynamic sexual dichromatism is currently known from several dozen anuran species, but our present understanding of the physiological basis and function of this trait in frogs is limited (Bell & Zamudio, ; Rojas, ). Several anurans with dynamic dichromatism are explosive breeders in which males physically compete for access to females, such as the Asian bullfrog Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (Tabassum et al ., ) and Fleay's Barred‐frog Mixophyes fleayi (Stratford et al ., ), suggesting that this trait functions as a visual signal in large breeding aggregations. Behavioural studies in two explosive breeding species with dynamic dichromatism (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breeding biology and the evolution of dynamic sexual dichromatism in frogs

Bell

Webster

Whiting

2017

J of Evolutionary Biology

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Dynamic sexual dichromatism is a temporary colour change between the sexes and has evolved independently in a wide range of anurans, many of which are explosive breeders wherein males physically compete for access to females. Behavioural studies in a few species indicate that dynamic dichromatism functions as a visual signal in large breeding aggregations; however, the prevalence of this trait and the social and environmental factors underlying its expression are poorly understood. We compiled a database of 178 anurans with dynamic dichromatism that include representatives from 15 families and subfamilies. Dynamic dichromatism is common in two of the three subfamilies of hylid treefrogs. Phylogenetic comparative analyses of 355 hylid species (of which 95 display dynamic dichromatism) reveal high transition rates between dynamic dichromatism, ontogenetic (permanent) dichromatism and monochromatism reflecting the high evolutionary lability of this trait. Correlated evolution in hylids between dynamic dichromatism and forming large breeding aggregations indicates that the evolution of large breeding aggregations precedes the evolution of dynamic dichromatism. Multivariate phylogenetic logistic regression recovers the interaction between biogeographic distribution and forming breeding aggregations as a significant predictor of dynamic dichromatism in hylids. Accounting for macroecological differences between temperate and tropical regions, such as seasonality and the availability of breeding sites, may improve our understanding of ecological contexts in which dynamic dichromatism is likely to arise in tropical lineages and why it is retained in some temperate species and lost in others.

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“…In M. fasciolatus, amplexus occurs on stream banks or at the water's edge (Parris 2002), and fertilised eggs are flicked out of the water, which adhere to stream banks or vegetation, whereby the larvae later fall into the water (Anstis 2002). This reproductive strategy has been hypothesised to reduce the risk of aquatic predation (Stratford et al 2010). M. fasciolatus is considered to be a facultative stream breeding species, as unconnected pools, dams and other lentic water bodies away from streams may also be utilised for breeding .…”

Section: Mixophyes Fasciolatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…M. fasciolatus is considered to be a facultative stream breeding species, as unconnected pools, dams and other lentic water bodies away from streams may also be utilised for breeding . Stratford et al (2010) fasciolatus against localised declines (Stratford et al 2010). It could also be an indication that mate selection in M. fasciolatus is based upon male reproductive quality rather than environmental conditions (Stratford et al 2010).…”

Section: Mixophyes Fasciolatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It could also be an indication that mate selection in M. fasciolatus is based upon male reproductive quality rather than environmental conditions (Stratford et al 2010). Male territory ownership is one such reproductive quality which may be significant in mate selection (Stratford et al 2010), and therefore movements and behaviour associated with territory ownership may be of high importance for this species.…”

Section: Mixophyes Fasciolatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Riparian vegetation condition influences movement and microhabitat use by Mixophyes fasciolatus in South East Queensland

Schwenke¹

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Breeding ecology and phenology of two stream breeding myobatrachid frogs (Mixophyes fleayi and M. fasciolatus) in south-east Queensland

Cited by 13 publications

References 30 publications

Oviposition and egg mass morphology in barred frogs (Anura: Myobatrachidae:MixophyesGünther, 1864), its phylogenetic significance and implications for conservation management

Oviposition and egg mass morphology in barred frogs (Anura: Myobatrachidae:MixophyesGünther, 1864), its phylogenetic significance and implications for conservation management

Breeding biology and the evolution of dynamic sexual dichromatism in frogs

Riparian vegetation condition influences movement and microhabitat use by Mixophyes fasciolatus in South East Queensland

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