Escape behaviour in the Neotropical frog <em>Hylodes asper</em> (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

Abstract

Predation is an important selective pressure in natural populations, leading to the bewildering diversity of antipredation strategies found in nature. However, studies focusing on real-time assessment and management of risks by prey are underrepresented in the literature, particularly in the case of anurans. In this study we report on field observations of the escape behavior of the Neotropical frog Hylodes asper (Leptodactylidae). Escape distances varied according to the time of the day in both juveniles and adults. Moreover, there was a significant influence of age on the escape distance of an individual, with adults escaping at a greater distance than juveniles.