Frog Facts: First Discovery of Egg Care in a SE Asian Treefrog

[findiviglio]

Hi, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m a herpetologist, zoologist, and book author, recently retired from a career spent at several zoos, aquariums, and museums, including over 20
The breeding habits of a poorly-studied treefrog have recently grabbed the attention of herpetologists and amphibian enthusiasts. Although it is small in size and lacks a common name, Chiromantis hansenae is quite special. Recent research has revealed it to be the only Southeast Asian treefrog known to provide parental care to its eggs. Furthermore, it breaks the typical rules that apply to most other egg-guarding frogs in important ways. Very little is known about Chiromantis hansenae, which until now was thought to be an “un-remarkable” little frog – a clear sign that important discoveries await those willing to search. Read the rest of this article here Frog Facts: First Discovery of Egg Care by a Southeast Asian Treefrog | That Reptile Blog
Please also check out my posts on Twitter http://bitly.com/JP27Nj and Facebook http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with: That Pet Place Welcomes Frank Indiviglio | That Reptile Blog

Best Regards, Frank

[tgampper]

Hi Frank:
Great article. It looks like a scientific name change for this species is coming: Chirixalus hansenae. I am getting totally confused with all these taxonomy changes. It reminds me of another instance when the African rubber frog changed genus. It was formally known as Phrynomerus bifasciatus, now known as: Phrynomantis bifasciatus. What seems strange is the genus Phrynomantis referred to a group of microhylid frogs from New Guinea (now known as Callulops sp.). Just when you thought you were comfortable, they change everything

Frogs are on top of the heap when it comes to reproductive strategies. After reading the classic Biology of Amphibians, I learned that there are many breeding strategies among the amphibians. This seems to be one more. It makes sense that smaller egg clutches occur in species where there is parental care and direct development. The most dangerous time for a frog is during the egg and tadpole stages. So with direct development, at least the newly hatched frogs have a head start.

In this particular species, large eggs would not be practical because they hang from a foam nest and they will fall out if too heavy. Once again, the "many" egg strategy will indicate that direct development is not an option. Many tadpoles will be needed to overcome cannibalism and predation.

There is another group of frogs that exhibit parental care without direct development: Pipa carvalhoi, P. myersi, and P. parva.

[findiviglio]

Hi Frank:
Great article. It looks like a scientific name change for this species is coming: Chirixalus hansenae. I am getting totally confused with all these taxonomy changes. It reminds me of another instance when the African rubber frog changed genus. It was formally known as Phrynomerus bifasciatus, now known as: Phrynomantis bifasciatus. What seems strange is the genus Phrynomantis referred to a group of microhylid frogs from New Guinea (now known as Callulops sp.). Just when you thought you were comfortable, they change everything

Frogs are on top of the heap when it comes to reproductive strategies. After reading the classic Biology of Amphibians, I learned that there are many breeding strategies among the amphibians. This seems to be one more. It makes sense that smaller egg clutches occur in species where there is parental care and direct development. The most dangerous time for a frog is during the egg and tadpole stages. So with direct development, at least the newly hatched frogs have a head start.

In this particular species, large eggs would not be practical because they hang from a foam nest and they will fall out if too heavy. Once again, the "many" egg strategy will indicate that direct development is not an option. Many tadpoles will be needed to overcome cannibalism and predation.

There is another group of frogs that exhibit parental care without direct development: Pipa carvalhoi, P. myersi, and P. parva.

Thanks...yes, with all the genetic technology available there will be no end to it soon; but useful (and keeps people employed!). Here's the text of the original Copeia article,

Best regards, Frank

[tgampper]

Hi Frank
Thanks for the article, it was quite interesting. One of the most interesting toads with direct development are those in the genus Oreophrynella. They live on isolated tepuis in northern South America. For them, direct development makes sense. The environment is very hostile and space is limited. Check out the article:
https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/...pdf?sequence=1