Ranitomeya

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Kyle Summers - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Differential gene expression and gene variants drive color and pattern development in divergent color morphs of a mimetic poison frog
    bioRxiv, 2019
    Co-Authors: Adam M. M. Stuckert, Tyler Linderoth, Matthew D. Macmanes, Kyle Summers
    Abstract:

    Evolutionary biologists have long investigated the ecological contexts, evolutionary forces, and proximate mechanisms that produce the diversity of animal coloration we see in the natural world. In aposematic species, color and pattern is directly tied to survival and thus understanding the origin of the phenotype has been a focus of both theoretical and empirical inquiry. In order to better understand this diversity, we examined gene expression in skin tissue during development in four different color morphs of the aposematic mimic poison frog, Ranitomeya imitator. We identified a suite of candidate color-related genes a priori and identified the pattern of expression in these genes over time, differences in expression of these genes between the mimetic morphs, and genetic variants that differ between color morphs. We identified several candidate color genes that are differentially expressed over time or across populations, as well as a number of color genes with fixed genetic variants between color morphs. Many of the color genes we discovered in our dataset are involved in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, including several fixed SNPs between color morphs. Further, many genes in this pathway were differentially expressed at different points in development (e.g., lef1, tyr, tyrp1). Importantly, Wnt signaling pathway genes are overrepresented relative to expression in Xenopus tropicalis. Taken together, this provides evidence that the Wnt signaling pathway is contributing to color pattern production in R. imitator, and is an excellent candidate for producing some of the differences in color pattern between morphs. In addition, we found evidence that sepiapterin reductase is likely important in the production of yellow-green coloration in this adaptive radiation. Finally, two iridophore genes (arfap1, gart) draw a strong parallel to previous work in another dendrobatid, indicating that these genes are also strong candidates for differential color production. We have used high throughput sequencing throughout development to examine the evolution of coloration in a rapid mimetic adaptive radiation and found that these divergent color patterns are likely to be affected by a combination of developmental patterns of gene expression, color morph-specific gene expression, and color morph-specific gene variants.

  • An Empirical Test Indicates Only Qualitatively Honest Aposematic Signaling Within a Population of Vertebrates
    Journal of Herpetology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Adam M. M. Stuckert, Ralph A Saporito, Kyle Summers
    Abstract:

    Abstract Signaling is an important part of intraspecific and interspecific interactions. Theoretical work examining honest signaling in aposematic species (e.g., those with conspicuous colors and secondary defenses) has focused primarily on discerning the patterns between conspicuousness and defense within populations. Most empirical work, however, has investigated these patterns across populations or species. Here, we test for honest signaling across individuals within a population of the aposematic poison frog, Ranitomeya imitator. We find no evidence that increasing levels of the aposematic signal are correlated with increasing levels of defense in this species, indicating that our study population does not signal in a quantitatively honest manner, but rather that the signal is qualitatively honest. Additionally, we found no evidence that frogs with higher levels of defense behave more boldly as a result of the presumed increased ecological release from predation, an expected outcome in a qualitatively...

  • searching for hormonal facilitators are vasotocin and mesotocin involved in parental care behaviors in poison frogs
    Physiology & Behavior, 2017
    Co-Authors: Lisa M. Schulte, Kyle Summers
    Abstract:

    Although the involvement of peptide hormones in parental care behaviors is well investigated in vertebrates, in amphibians the physiological basis of parental care is largely unknown. This is all the more surprising as parental care behaviors in these tetrapods are remarkably diverse. The poison frog Ranitomeya imitator performs biparental care, including clutch guarding, tadpole transportation and nutrient provisioning. Here we tested whether the nonapeptides arginine-vasotocin (AVT) and mesotocin (MT) are involved in clutch guarding and tadpole transportation in these frogs. In ex-sito experiments we injected males and females after clutch deposition and before tadpole transport with AVT and MT, respectively, as well as their antagonist or a control. We measured two types of egg caring behavior (intense and general care) and compared the success rate of tadpole transportation after treatments. Surprisingly we found that AVT did not trigger, but decreased intense egg care behaviors in males and females. However, there was a trend for general care behavior to increase, which might explain the adverse effect regarding intense care. MT did not have an effect on egg caring behaviors, but after administration of this hormone males were less likely to transport their offspring later on. Our results indicate that AVT might be partly involved in egg caring behaviors in R. imitator, while MT does not appear to play any role in behaviors prior to tadpole transportation in males. This implies that other hormones, such as steroids or prolactin are likely to be important for early parental care behaviors in poison frogs.

  • Evidence for begging as an honest signal of offspring need in the biparental mimic poison frog
    Animal Behaviour, 2016
    Co-Authors: Miho Yoshioka, C. Meeks, Kyle Summers
    Abstract:

    Whether begging behaviour mediates food provisioning has been extensively studied in birds. However, begging behaviour occurs without direct offspring competition in some species and thus may be driven exclusively by intrabrood dynamics. We studied begging behaviour of individually housed offspring of the biparental mimic poison frog Ranitomeya imitator. We tested whether (1) begging is an honest signal of need or hunger, (2) begging is costly and (3) parents allocate food according to offspring need. Under manipulation of long-term diet, food-limited tadpoles increased begging effort over the course of development. Tadpoles that were induced to beg suffered a cost of taking longer to reach developmental stages and showed a marginal cost on growth rate. Finally, parents were more likely to feed the tadpole that was exposed to a nonsupplemented diet over its food-supplemented sibling. In R. imitator, begging behaviour appears to signal offspring need honestly and thus may predict differential food provisioning among offspring.

  • Call data
    2016
    Co-Authors: Jacob S. Vestergaard, Kyle Summers, Evan Twomey
    Abstract:

    Field-collected call data for Ranitomeya imitator. Call parameters were quantified using Raven software. Transect position corresponds to the mimicry transect described in the publication

Evan Twomey - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A ketocarotenoid-based colour polymorphism in the Sira poison frog Ranitomeya sirensis indicates novel gene interactions underlying aposematic signal variation.
    Molecular Ecology, 2020
    Co-Authors: Evan Twomey, Santiago Castroviejo-fisher, James D. Johnson, Ines Van Bocxlaer
    Abstract:

    The accumulation of red ketocarotenoids is an important component of coloration in many organisms, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In some organisms, ketocarotenoids are sequestered from the diet and can accumulate when enzymes responsible for carotenoid breakdown are disrupted. In other organisms, ketocarotenoids are formed endogenously from dietary precursors via oxidation reactions carried out by carotenoid ketolase enzymes. Here, we study the genetic basis of carotenoid coloration in an amphibian. We demonstrate that a red/yellow polymorphism in the dendrobatid poison frog Ranitomeya sirensis is due to the presence/absence of ketocarotenoids. Using whole-transcriptome sequencing of skins and livers, we found that a transcript encoding a cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP3A80) is expressed 3.4-fold higher in livers of red frogs versus yellow. As CYP3A enzymes are known carotenoid ketolases in other organisms, our results point to CYP3A80 as a strong candidate for a carotenoid ketolase in amphibians. Furthermore, in red frogs, the transcript encoding the carotenoid cleavage enzyme BCO2 is expressed at a low level or as a splice variant lacking key catalytic amino acids. This suggests that BCO2 function may be disrupted in red frogs, providing a mechanism whereby the accumulation of ketocarotenoids and their dietary precursors may be enhanced.

  • Call data
    2016
    Co-Authors: Jacob S. Vestergaard, Kyle Summers, Evan Twomey
    Abstract:

    Field-collected call data for Ranitomeya imitator. Call parameters were quantified using Raven software. Transect position corresponds to the mimicry transect described in the publication

  • Mimetic Divergence and the Speciation Continuum in the Mimic Poison Frog Ranitomeya imitator
    The American Naturalist, 2016
    Co-Authors: Evan Twomey, Pablo J Venegas, Jacob Schack Vestergaard, Kyle Summers
    Abstract:

    While divergent ecological adaptation can drive speciation, understanding the factors that facilitate or constrain this process remains a major goal in speciation research. Here, we study two mimetic transition zones in the poison frog Ranitomeya imitator, a species that has undergone a Mullerian mimetic radiation to establish four morphs in Peru. We find that mimetic morphs are strongly phenotypically differentiated, producing geographic clines with varying widths. However, distinct morphs show little neutral genetic divergence, and landscape genetic analyses implicate isolation by distance as the primary determinant of among-population genetic differentiation. Mate choice experiments suggest random mating at the transition zones, although certain allopatric populations show a preference for their own morph. We present evidence that this preference may be mediated by color pattern specifically. These results contrast with an earlier study of a third transition zone, in which a mimetic shift was associated with reproductive isolation. Overall, our results suggest that the three known mimetic transition zones in R. imitator reflect a speciation continuum, which we have characterized at the geographic, phenotypic, behavioral, and genetic levels. We discuss possible explanations for variable progress toward speciation, suggesting that multifarious selection on both mimetic color pattern and body size may be responsible for generating reproductive isolation.

  • Number of genes controlling a quantitative trait in a hybrid zone of the aposematic frog Ranitomeya imitator
    Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2015
    Co-Authors: Jacob Schack Vestergaard, Kyle Summers, Evan Twomey, Rasmus Larsen, Rasmus Nielsen
    Abstract:

    The number of genes controlling mimetic traits has been a topic of much research and discussion. In this paper, we examine a mimetic, dendrobatid frog Ranitomeya imitator , which harbours extensive phenotypic variation with multiple mimetic morphs, not unlike the celebrated Heliconius system. However, the genetic basis for this polymorphism is unknown, and not easy to determine using standard experimental approaches, for this hard-to-breed species. To circumvent this problem, we first develop a new protocol for automatic quantification of complex colour pattern phenotypes from images. Using this method, which has the potential to be applied in many other systems, we define a phenotype associated with differences in colour pattern between different mimetic morphs. We then proceed to develop a maximum-likelihood method for estimating the number of genes affecting a quantitative trait segregating in a hybrid zone. This method takes advantage of estimates of admixture proportions obtained using genetic data, such as microsatellite markers, and is applicable to any other system where a phenotype has been quantified in an admixture/introgression zone. We evaluate the method using extensive simulations and apply it to the R. imitator system. We show that probably one or two, or at most three genes, control the mimetic phenotype segregating in a R. imitator hybrid zone identified using image analyses.

  • Intraspecific Call Variation in the Mimic Poison Frog Ranitomeya imitator
    Herpetologica, 2015
    Co-Authors: Evan Twomey, Michael Mayer, Kyle Summers
    Abstract:

    Abstract:  Calls are important premating isolating barriers in frogs; therefore, studying intraspecific variation in calls might allow the assessment of patterns of call divergence during the early stages of speciation. Ranitomeya imitator, a species of dart-poison frog (Dendrobatidae), has undergone extensive color-pattern diversification through a Mullerian mimetic radiation, establishing four distinct morphs in north-central Peru (striped, banded, varadero, and spotted). Partial reproductive isolation exists between certain color morphs, although the specific mechanisms responsible for this isolation are poorly understood. We conducted a species-wide analysis of variation in advertisement calls to investigate whether distinct mimetic morphs show advertisement call differences. We found that different color morphs generally show weak or no differences in advertisement calls, with two exceptions. First, call pulse rates differed between the striped and banded morphs, and that difference coincides geograp...

Stefan Lötters - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE Decoding and Discrimination of Chemical Cues and Signals: Avoidance of Predation and Competition during Parental Care Behavior in Sympatric Poison Frogs
    2016
    Co-Authors: Lisa M. Schulte, Stefan Lötters, Martin Krauss, Tobias Schulze, Werner Brack
    Abstract:

    The evolution of chemical communication and the discrimination between evolved functions (signals) and unintentional releases (cues) are among the most challenging issues in chem-ical ecology. The accurate classification of inter- or intraspecific chemical communication is often puzzling. Here we report on two different communication systems triggering the same parental care behavior in the poison frog Ranitomeya variabilis. This species deposits its tadpoles and egg clutches in phytotelmata and chemically recognizes and avoids sites with both predatory conspecific and non-predatory heterospecific tadpoles (of the species Hyloxalus azureiventris). Combining chemical analyses with in-situ bioassays, we identified the molecular formulas of the chemical compounds triggering this behavior. We found that both species produce distinct chemical compound combinations, suggesting two separate communication systems. Bringing these results into an ecological context, we classify the conspecific R. variabilis compounds as chemical cues, advantageous only to the receivers (the adult frogs), not the emitters (the tadpoles). The heterospecific compounds, however, are suggested to be chemical signals (or cues evolving into signals), being advantageous to the emitters (the heterospecific tadpoles) and likely also to the receivers (the adult frogs). Due to these assumed receiver benefits, the heterospecific compounds are possibly syno-mones which are advantageous to both emitter and receiver- a very rare communication system between animal species, especially vertebrates

  • Decoding and Discrimination of Chemical Cues and Signals: Avoidance of Predation and Competition during Parental Care Behavior in Sympatric Poison Frogs.
    PLOS ONE, 2015
    Co-Authors: Lisa M. Schulte, Stefan Lötters, Martin Krauss, Tobias Schulze, Werner Brack
    Abstract:

    The evolution of chemical communication and the discrimination between evolved functions (signals) and unintentional releases (cues) are among the most challenging issues in chemical ecology. The accurate classification of inter- or intraspecific chemical communication is often puzzling. Here we report on two different communication systems triggering the same parental care behavior in the poison frog Ranitomeya variabilis. This species deposits its tadpoles and egg clutches in phytotelmata and chemically recognizes and avoids sites with both predatory conspecific and non-predatory heterospecific tadpoles (of the species Hyloxalus azureiventris). Combining chemical analyses with in-situ bioassays, we identified the molecular formulas of the chemical compounds triggering this behavior. We found that both species produce distinct chemical compound combinations, suggesting two separate communication systems. Bringing these results into an ecological context, we classify the conspecific R. variabilis compounds as chemical cues, advantageous only to the receivers (the adult frogs), not the emitters (the tadpoles). The heterospecific compounds, however, are suggested to be chemical signals (or cues evolving into signals), being advantageous to the emitters (the heterospecific tadpoles) and likely also to the receivers (the adult frogs). Due to these assumed receiver benefits, the heterospecific compounds are possibly synomones which are advantageous to both emitter and receiver ‒ a very rare communication system between animal species, especially vertebrates.

  • Compounds found in fractions avoided in the bioassays by Ranitomeya variabilis.
    2015
    Co-Authors: Lisa M. Schulte, Stefan Lötters, Martin Krauss, Tobias Schulze, Werner Brack
    Abstract:

    V and A stand for R. variabilis and H. azureiventris respectively. Compounds marked with a * were found in fractions of both species; nd = no detection.Compounds found in fractions avoided in the bioassays by Ranitomeya variabilis.

  • Pooled egg and tadpole depositions placed by parental Ranitomeya variabilis in cups with clean or treated water.
    2015
    Co-Authors: Lisa M. Schulte, Stefan Lötters, Martin Krauss, Tobias Schulze, Werner Brack
    Abstract:

    Treated water contains different fractions (or a total mix) of chemical substances from R. variabilis (V) or H. azureiventris (A), tested in 2012 (marked with numbers) and 2013 (marked with the according numbers of 2012 and additional letters), respectively. Deposition frequencies are compared by a G-test.* Atotal was only tested in 2012** A4-13 is the only fraction that in 2013 is the same fraction as in 2012 (and it is therefore assigned with a number instead of a letter), but it is missing some cues that could not be found again in 2013.Pooled egg and tadpole depositions placed by parental Ranitomeya variabilis in cups with clean or treated water.

  • A danger foreseen is a danger avoided: how chemical cues of different tadpoles influence parental decisions of a Neotropical poison frog
    Animal Cognition, 2014
    Co-Authors: Lisa M. Schulte, Stefan Lötters
    Abstract:

    The protection of offspring against predators and competitors is especially important in organisms using spatially separated breeding resources, impeding the offspring’s chances to escape. One example of such isolated reproductive resources are phytotelmata (small water bodies in plant axils), exploited by the Neotropical poison frog Ranitomeya variabilis (Dendrobatidae) for both clutch and tadpole deposition. Because poison frog tadpoles are often cannibalistic, parents tend to avoid deposition with conspecifics. Previous studies have shown that this avoidance is based on chemical cues produced by conspecific tadpoles. Further, cues produced by phylogenetically less-related tadpoles (Bufonidae) were avoided for clutch but not tadpole depositions. We analyzed how the different responses to tadpole cues are triggered. We tested the reactions of parental R. variabilis to tadpole cues of species differing in two aspects: whether or not they are dendrobatids, and whether or not they reproduce in phytotelmata. We found that for clutch deposition, tadpole cues were always avoided, i.e., all tadpoles were treated by the frogs as if they pose a danger to the eggs. However, responses varied for tadpole depositions: while dendrobatid larvae living in phytotelmata were avoided, those breeding in streams were not. Non-poison frog tadpoles were ignored when associated with habitat other than phytotelmata, but they were preferred when living in phytotelmata. This suggests that both phylogeny and tadpole habitat are important triggers for the decisions made by R. variabilis. Only tadpoles using the same breeding resources are considered as relevant for the frog’s own larvae (i.e., as a potential danger or food resource), while further decisions are related to evolutionary relationship.

Jason L. Brown - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The evolution of parental care, aposematism and color diversity in Neotropical poison frogs
    Evolutionary Ecology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Jason L. Brown
    Abstract:

    This Special Issue demonstrates the breadth of evolutionary ecology research occurring on Neotropical poison frogs (Dendrobatidae). It also draws attention to the incredible diversity of the poison frogs themselves (phenotypic, behavioral and taxonomic diversity) and this group's potential for research programs focusing on speciation, the evolution of toxicity, color pattern diversity, Mullerian and Batesian mimicry, sexual selection, mating systems and parental care. This Special Issue focused on two key research foci in the field of evolutionary ecology: (1) Understanding the interplay between ecology and the evolution of parental care and (2) Elucidating the ecological factors contributing to the evolution of toxicity, aposematism and color pattern diversity. In this paper, I summarize the major findings of studies presented in this Special Issue. Understanding the interplay between ecology and the evolution of parental care Parent poison frogs transport and subsequently deposit their tadpoles in pools of water. The evolutionary transition from terrestrial to smaller arboreal phytotelmata for tadpole deposition is thought to be driven by a reduction in competition and predation associated with smaller tadpole nurseries. This transition is considered a key evolutionary innovation, allowing access to relatively unexploited resources and facilitating the evolution of many novel breeding strategies. To date, there are only a few empirical examples in dendrobatids to support this hypothesis (Weygoldt 1980; Caldwell 1997; Brown et al. 2010). Field experimentation by McKeon and Summers (2013) present a more complete picture of the interactions between the natural history of Allobates femoralis and the tadpole predators present. Their results suggest that pool size, the presence of predatory insects and inter- actions between predators (and indirect effects on tadpoles) influence larval deposition in A. femoralis. Previous research on Ranitomeya species, a genus distantly related to Allobates, has demonstrated that adults also assess multiple aspects of reproductive resources to

  • Phenotypic and Genetic Divergence among Poison Frog Populations in a Mimetic Radiation
    PLoS ONE, 2013
    Co-Authors: Evan Twomey, Jason L. Brown, Victor Morales, Justin Yeager, Molly E. Cummings, Kyle Summers
    Abstract:

    The evolution of Mullerian mimicry is, paradoxically, associated with high levels of diversity in color and pattern. In a mimetic radiation, different populations of a species evolve to resemble different models, which can lead to speciation. Yet there are circumstances under which initial selection for divergence under mimicry may be reversed. Here we provide evidence for the evolution of extensive phenotypic divergence in a mimetic radiation in Ranitomeya imitator, the mimic poison frog, in Peru. Analyses of color hue (spectral reflectance) and pattern reveal substantial divergence between morphs. However, we also report that there is a “transition-zone” with mixed phenotypes. Analyses of genetic structure using microsatellite variation reveals some differentiation between populations, but this does not strictly correspond to color pattern divergence. Analyses of gene flow between populations suggest that, while historical levels of gene flow were low, recent levels are high in some cases, including substantial gene flow between some color pattern morphs. We discuss possible explanations for these observations.

  • Testing for selection on color and pattern in a mimetic radiation
    Current Zoology, 2012
    Co-Authors: Justin Yeager, Victor Morales, Jason L. Brown, Molly E. Cummings, Kyle Summers
    Abstract:

    In this paper, we analyze variation in spectral reflectance and color pattern among populations to demonstrate dramatic divergence between four distinct morphs of the mimic poison frog Ranitomeya imitator . We also analyze genetic divergence in d-loop mtDNA sequences between populations. We then use coalescent-based simulations to demonstrate that the high levels of observed phenotypic divergence are not consistent with levels of genetic divergence expected under neutral drift among populations, implying an important role for selection in driving divergence between these populations.

  • Testing for selection on color and pattern in a mimetic radiation
    Oxford University Press, 2012
    Co-Authors: Justin Yeager, Victor Morales, Jason L. Brown, Molly Cummings5, Kyle Summers
    Abstract:

    In this paper, we analyze variation in spectral reflectance and color pattern among populations to demonstrate dramatic divergence between four distinct morphs of the mimic poison frog Ranitomeya imitator. We also analyze genetic divergence in d-loop mtDNA sequences between populations. We then use coalescent-based simulations to demonstrate that the high levels of observed phenotypic divergence are not consistent with levels of genetic divergence expected under neutral drift among populations, implying an important role for selection in driving divergence between these populations [Current Zoology 58 (4): 668–676, 2012]

  • A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical poison frog genus Ranitomeya (Amphibia: Dendrobatidae)
    Zootaxa, 2011
    Co-Authors: Jason L. Brown, Evan Twomey, Adolfo Amézquita, Moisés Barbosa De Souza, Janalee P. Caldwell, Stefan Lötters, Rudolf Von May, Paulo Roberto Melo-sampaio, Daniel Mejía-vargas, Pedro E. Perez-peña
    Abstract:

    The Neotropical poison frog genus Ranitomeya is revised, resulting in one new genus, one new species, five synonymies and one species classified as nomen dubium. We present an expanded molecular phylogeny that contains 235 terminals, 104 of which are new to this study. Notable additions to this phylogeny include seven of the 12 species in the minuta group, 15 Ranitomeya amazonica, 20 R. lamasi, two R. sirensis, 30 R. ventrimaculata and seven R. uakarii. Previous researchers have long recognized two distinct, reciprocally monophyletic species groups contained within Ranitomeya, sensu Grant et al. 2006: the ventrimaculata group, which is distributed throughout much of the Amazon, and the minuta group of the northern Andes and Central America. We restrict Ranitomeya to the former group and erect a new genus, Andinobates Twomey, Brown, Amezquita & Mejia-Vargas gen. nov., for members of the minuta group. Other major taxonomic results of the current revision include the following: (i) A new species, Ranitomeya toraro Brown, Caldwell, Twomey, Melo-Sampaio & Souza sp. nov., is described from western Brazil. This species has long been referred to as R. ventrimaculata but new morphological and phylogenetic data place it sister to R. defleri. (ii) Examination of the holotype of R. ventrimaculata revealed that this specimen is in fact a member of what is currently referred to as R. duellmani, therefore, Dendrobates duellmani Schulte 1999 is considered herein a junior synonym of D. ventrimaculatus Shreve 1935 (= R. ventrimaculata). (iii) For the frogs that were being called R. ventrimaculata prior to this revision, the oldest available and therefore applicable name is R. variabilis. Whereas previous definitions of R. variabilis were restricted to spotted highland frogs near Tarapoto, Peru, our data suggest that this color morph is conspecific with lowland striped counterparts. Therefore, the definition of R. variabilis is greatly expanded to include most frogs which were (prior to this revision) referred to as R. ventrimaculata. (iv) Phylogenetic and bioacoustic evidence support the retention of R. amazonica as a valid species related to R. variabilis as defined in this paper. Based on phylogenetic data, R. amazonica appears to be distributed throughout much of the lower Amazon, as far east as French Guiana and the Amazon Delta and as far west as Iquitos, Peru. (v) Behavioral and morphological data, as well as phylogenetic data which includes topotypic material of R. sirensis and numerous samples of R. lamasi, suggest that the names sirensis, lamasi and biolat are applicable to a single, widespread species that displays considerable morphological variation throughout its range. The oldest available name for this group is sirensis Aichinger; therefore, we expand the definition of R. sirensis. (vi) Ranitomeya ignea and R. intermedia, elevated to the species status in a previous revision, are placed as junior synonyms of R. reticulata and R. imitator, respectively. (vii) Ranitomeya rubrocephala is designated as nomen dubium. In addition to taxonomic changes, this revision includes the following: (i) Explicit definitions of species groups that are consistent with our proposed taxonomy. (ii) A comprehensive dichotomous key for identification of ‘small’ aposematic poison frogs of South and Central America. (iii) Detailed distribution maps of all Ranitomeya species, including unpublished localities for most species. In some cases, these records result in substantial range extensions (e.g., R. uakarii, R. fantastica). (iv) Tadpole descriptions for R. amazonica, R. flavovittata, R. imitator, R. toraro sp. nov., R. uakarii and R. variabilis; plus a summary of tadpole morphological data for Andinobates and Ranitomeya species. (v) A summary of call data on most members of Andinobates and Ranitomeya, including call data of several species that have not been published before. (vi) A discussion on the continued impacts of the pet trade on poison frogs (vii) A discussion on several cases of potential Mullerian mimicry within the genus Ranitomeya. We also give opinions regarding the current debate on recent taxonomic changes and the use of the name Ranitomeya.

Lisa M. Schulte - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • searching for hormonal facilitators are vasotocin and mesotocin involved in parental care behaviors in poison frogs
    Physiology & Behavior, 2017
    Co-Authors: Lisa M. Schulte, Kyle Summers
    Abstract:

    Although the involvement of peptide hormones in parental care behaviors is well investigated in vertebrates, in amphibians the physiological basis of parental care is largely unknown. This is all the more surprising as parental care behaviors in these tetrapods are remarkably diverse. The poison frog Ranitomeya imitator performs biparental care, including clutch guarding, tadpole transportation and nutrient provisioning. Here we tested whether the nonapeptides arginine-vasotocin (AVT) and mesotocin (MT) are involved in clutch guarding and tadpole transportation in these frogs. In ex-sito experiments we injected males and females after clutch deposition and before tadpole transport with AVT and MT, respectively, as well as their antagonist or a control. We measured two types of egg caring behavior (intense and general care) and compared the success rate of tadpole transportation after treatments. Surprisingly we found that AVT did not trigger, but decreased intense egg care behaviors in males and females. However, there was a trend for general care behavior to increase, which might explain the adverse effect regarding intense care. MT did not have an effect on egg caring behaviors, but after administration of this hormone males were less likely to transport their offspring later on. Our results indicate that AVT might be partly involved in egg caring behaviors in R. imitator, while MT does not appear to play any role in behaviors prior to tadpole transportation in males. This implies that other hormones, such as steroids or prolactin are likely to be important for early parental care behaviors in poison frogs.

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE Decoding and Discrimination of Chemical Cues and Signals: Avoidance of Predation and Competition during Parental Care Behavior in Sympatric Poison Frogs
    2016
    Co-Authors: Lisa M. Schulte, Stefan Lötters, Martin Krauss, Tobias Schulze, Werner Brack
    Abstract:

    The evolution of chemical communication and the discrimination between evolved functions (signals) and unintentional releases (cues) are among the most challenging issues in chem-ical ecology. The accurate classification of inter- or intraspecific chemical communication is often puzzling. Here we report on two different communication systems triggering the same parental care behavior in the poison frog Ranitomeya variabilis. This species deposits its tadpoles and egg clutches in phytotelmata and chemically recognizes and avoids sites with both predatory conspecific and non-predatory heterospecific tadpoles (of the species Hyloxalus azureiventris). Combining chemical analyses with in-situ bioassays, we identified the molecular formulas of the chemical compounds triggering this behavior. We found that both species produce distinct chemical compound combinations, suggesting two separate communication systems. Bringing these results into an ecological context, we classify the conspecific R. variabilis compounds as chemical cues, advantageous only to the receivers (the adult frogs), not the emitters (the tadpoles). The heterospecific compounds, however, are suggested to be chemical signals (or cues evolving into signals), being advantageous to the emitters (the heterospecific tadpoles) and likely also to the receivers (the adult frogs). Due to these assumed receiver benefits, the heterospecific compounds are possibly syno-mones which are advantageous to both emitter and receiver- a very rare communication system between animal species, especially vertebrates

  • Semiochemicals in Anurans: Testing Different Categories with One Poison Frog Species
    Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 13, 2016
    Co-Authors: Lisa M. Schulte
    Abstract:

    Semiochemicals are chemical substances that serve as messengers for chemical communication within and among species. Semiochemicals can be divided into six different categories, including pheromones and kairomones. I provide examples of chemical communication in anurans, categorized by the types of semiochemicals, with a special focus on the poison frog Ranitomeya variabilis. This species shows a characteristic set of behaviors making it very suitable to the study of chemical communication. The different semiochemicals already tested in R. variabilis, as well as those that still need to be studied, illustrate how an amplified view of the overall categories of semiochemicals leads to a better understanding of the chemical abilities of a species. Furthermore, such comprehensive information over a wider range of species could give us a detailed overview on the evolution of communication forms in animals.

  • Decoding and Discrimination of Chemical Cues and Signals: Avoidance of Predation and Competition during Parental Care Behavior in Sympatric Poison Frogs.
    PLOS ONE, 2015
    Co-Authors: Lisa M. Schulte, Stefan Lötters, Martin Krauss, Tobias Schulze, Werner Brack
    Abstract:

    The evolution of chemical communication and the discrimination between evolved functions (signals) and unintentional releases (cues) are among the most challenging issues in chemical ecology. The accurate classification of inter- or intraspecific chemical communication is often puzzling. Here we report on two different communication systems triggering the same parental care behavior in the poison frog Ranitomeya variabilis. This species deposits its tadpoles and egg clutches in phytotelmata and chemically recognizes and avoids sites with both predatory conspecific and non-predatory heterospecific tadpoles (of the species Hyloxalus azureiventris). Combining chemical analyses with in-situ bioassays, we identified the molecular formulas of the chemical compounds triggering this behavior. We found that both species produce distinct chemical compound combinations, suggesting two separate communication systems. Bringing these results into an ecological context, we classify the conspecific R. variabilis compounds as chemical cues, advantageous only to the receivers (the adult frogs), not the emitters (the tadpoles). The heterospecific compounds, however, are suggested to be chemical signals (or cues evolving into signals), being advantageous to the emitters (the heterospecific tadpoles) and likely also to the receivers (the adult frogs). Due to these assumed receiver benefits, the heterospecific compounds are possibly synomones which are advantageous to both emitter and receiver ‒ a very rare communication system between animal species, especially vertebrates.

  • Compounds found in fractions avoided in the bioassays by Ranitomeya variabilis.
    2015
    Co-Authors: Lisa M. Schulte, Stefan Lötters, Martin Krauss, Tobias Schulze, Werner Brack
    Abstract:

    V and A stand for R. variabilis and H. azureiventris respectively. Compounds marked with a * were found in fractions of both species; nd = no detection.Compounds found in fractions avoided in the bioassays by Ranitomeya variabilis.