Aggressive nocturnal behavior in the strawberry poison frog Oophaga Pumilio (Schmidt, 1857) (Dendrobatidae)

Resumen

Territorial behavior in males of Oophaga pumilio has been reported as a defensive diurnal display of resident-intruder aggressive behaviors. We observed a previously undescribed nocturnal territorial behavior in a resident-intruder confrontation between two strawberry male frogs in Costa Rica. Such behavior was characterized by aggressive interactions and vocalizations that differ from those emitted during diurnal territorial displays.

Key Words: Amphibia, Anura, defensive behavior, territoriality, vocalizations, Costa Rica.

Resumen:

Comportamiento agresivo nocturno en la ranita roja venenosa Oophaga pumilio (Schmidt, 1857)(Dendrobatidae)

El comportamiento territorial entre machos de Oophaga pumilio ha sido reportado como un despliegue defensivo diurno de comportamientos agresivos entre residente e intruso. Observamos un comportamiento territorial nocturno, que no ha sido descrito previamente, entre dos machos de la ranita roja venenosa en Costa Rica. Este comportamiento se caracteriza por interacciones agresivas y vocalizaciones que difieren de aquellas emitidas durante el comportamiento territorial diurno.

Palabras Clave: Amphibia, Anura, comportamiento defensivo, territorialidad, vocalizaciones, Costa Rica.