Hard To Digest

New research, by Anh Van Pham , Truong Quang Nguyen, Cuong The Pham & Minh Duc Le, on two species of frog and their unstudied eating habits lead us to better understand their meal choice and interactions.

Across three streams in Vu Quan National Park, Ha Tinh, Vietnam, 83 individuals were chosen over the two species. Late at night was the designated time of research due to the frog's active behaviour in the evening.

Herptile-friendly methods were adhered to with approval from the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists for animal care (Beaupre et al., 2004) After being caught on-site, a flushing out of stomach contents was done. The Lao Sucker Frog Amolops cremnobatus and the Chloronate Huia Frog Odorrana chloronota were then released on site.

Figure 1. a) Lao sucker frog Amolops cremnobatus and b) chloronate huia frog Odorrana chloronota from Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam.

Of the 31 prey categories, Arachnida (spiders, scorpions etc.) to Orthoptera (Crickets, grasshoppers etc.), 204 tasty prey items were found in stomach contents. Both frog species had an overwhelming intake of beetles and cockroaches.

There were clear differences however. Since Sucker Frog's live near water mostly, they consumed more aquatic-based organisms. The Huia Frog ate more terrestrial options. Larger food and plentiful amounts of prey were eaten by the larger frog (Odorrana chloronota) and smaller prey/amounts by Amolops cremnobatus.

Irregardless of the food availability, size matters in choice and amount. The physical disadvantages are evident but it doesn't cause either of the species to starve. Competition doesn't seem to be affecting either species as they have particular food choices. Therefore, they are thriving.