OOPHAGY IN THE TREE-HOLE DWELLING TADPOLES OF Ecnomiohyla sukia (HYLIDAE) IN COSTA RICA

Abstract

The feeding strategy of the tadpoles of the Shaman Fringe-limbed Treefrog (Ecnomiohyla sukia), a canopy frog endemic to Costa Rica, is reported. A tree was climbed to collect three tadpoles at different stages, then the stomach contents were analyzed. Two of the three collected tadpoles had masses of eggs in their intestines. An analysis of stomach contents found evidence for the presence of around 200 eggs in one specimen. Ecnomiohyla sukia tadpoles are confirmed to be oophagous and can survive by feeding on conspecific eggs. We suggest that oophagy may also be present in other species of the genus Ecnomiohyla; they could use this strategy to supplement the limited food resources available in their microhabitats; however, more research is needed to confirm this.