Alimentación de larvas de Bufo arenarum Hensel, 1867 (Amphibia, Bufonidae) en ambientes del río Paraná

Abstract

Food habits and some aspects of the development of Bufo arenarum were estudied. Samples were taken in a floodplain pond and in a semi permanent pool. Indexes of frequences apparition of food item (%FO) and numerical frequence percentages (%FN) were applied, as well as a trophic diversity index to evaluate the gut contents and environmental supply. The environmental variability and body growth was related, and the overlap among environmental supply and gut contents was established. Tadpoles were found among 31 and 41 instar (Gosner, 1960). Results show that the Bufo arenarum trophic spectrum is herbivorous, detritivorous, mainly composed by green algae, and diatoms, detritus and vegetal rests. It was concluded that B. arenarum larvae appear to feed continuosly with no apparent food preference.