FIGURE 76 in Tadpoles of Central Amazonia (Amphibia: Anura)

FIGURE 76. As other Central Amazonian tadpole species, Trachycephalus resinifictrix preys voraciously on amphibian eggs. When eggs are not available the diet of T. resinifictrix is based on detritus; algae, plant fragments and arthropod fragments are less common gut contents (A). When available, tadpoles consume as many eggs as possible. Tadpoles below Stage 32 rasp eggs with their keratinized mouthparts. Tadpoles at or above Stage 32 are able to swallow whole eggs with capsules and sometimes jelly. Up to 62 intact eggs, plus digested eggs, have been found in the greatly dilated gut of tadpoles found in treeholes containing freshly laid egg masses (B). In the case of T. resinifictrix, eggs are fertilized and conspecific, and as such the relationship is cannibalistic (Schiesari et al. 2003a).