Predation of a Dry Forest Toad, Incilius Coccifer, by a Blue-Diademed Motmot, Momotus Lessonii, in Western Central Valley, Costa Rica

Published In

Caribbean Journal of Science

Document Type

Citation

Publication Date

12-6-2023

Abstract

The Dry Forest Toad, Incilius coccifer, is a relatively large species, with males reaching up to 69 mm in standard length and females growing up to 99 mm. This toad species exhibits a preference for relatively open and disturbed environments within various forest types and semi-open areas, although sightings in forested habitats have occasionaly been noted. Similar habitat types are inhabited by the Blue-diademed Motmot, Momotus lessonii, an omnivorous bird that consumes fruits, insects, and several small vertebrates. On October 15, 2023 at 06:02 h, we observed a Dry Forest Toad being preyed upon by a Blue-diademed Motmot in the Tropical Premontane Moist Forest at Palmares, Alajuela, Costa Rica, at an elevation of 1,145 meters. This toad possesses toxins on its skin and parotid glands; however, apparently, this does not deter the motmot from preying on it. Nevertheless, further information is needed about the frequency and impact of this ecological interaction. El sapo de bosque seco, Incilius coccifer, es relativamente grande, los machos alcanzan hasta 69 mm de longitud estándar y las hembras hasta 99 mm. Este sapo prefiere hábitats relativamente abiertos y perturbados dentro de varios tipos de bosques y áreas semiabiertas o abiertas, aunque ocasionalmente es observado en hábitats boscosos. Tipos de hábitats similares son habitados por el momoto de diadema azul, Momotus lessonii, un ave omnívora que consume frutas, insectos y varios pequeños vertebrados. El 15 de octubre de 2023 a las 06:02 h observamos un sapo de bosque seco siendo depredado por un momoto de diadema azul en el Bosque Húmedo Premontano Tropical en Palmares, Alajuela, Costa Rica, a una altitud de 1,145 metros. Este sapo posee toxinas en su piel y glándulas parótidas; sin embargo, aparentemente, esto no impide que el momoto lo deprede. No obstante, se necesita más información sobre la frecuencia e impacto de esta interacción ecológica.

Rights

© Copyright 2023 by the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez

DOI

10.18475/cjos.v53i2.a20

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/41671

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