Meeting Abstract

P3.132  Tuesday, Jan. 6  Differences in escape behavior between a cryptic and an aposematic litter frog OZEL, L.D.*; CHANG, J.L.; Univ. of Miami, Coral Gables; Univ. of Miami, Coral Gables l.ozel@umiami.edu

Clay models have been used to investigate the relative anti-predator effectiveness of cryptic and of aposematic coloration in litter frogs, but such studies fail to account for possible differences in prey escape behavior. We examined the escape behaviors of two litter frogs, the cryptic Craugastor (=Eleutherodactylus) bransfordii and the brightly colored and toxic Oophaga (=Dendrobates) pumilio, in response to a human predator. For all individuals, we measured the distance between the frog and the observer at the instant of flight (approach distance), and the distance between frogs initial and final positions (retreat distance), in the field. The cryptic C. bransfordii had a shorter approach distance than did non-calling individuals of the brightly colored O. pumilio. In addition, we noted that calling O. pumilio males had a shorter approach distance than did either non-calling male or female O. pumilio. These findings demonstrate that a cryptic and an aposematic litter frog differ in their escape response to a predator. These results also suggest that, at least in male O. pumilio, a tradeoff may exist between predator avoidance and reproductive success via territorial defense and mate attraction.